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Inelastic sports pricing

Author

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  • Rodney Fort

    (Department of Economics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4741, USA)

Abstract

A recurrent finding in estimates of the gate demand for sports events is pricing in the inelastic portion of demand. With few exceptions, this finding has either been ignored or (rather poorly) explained away. In this paper, the recurrent outcome is detailed and the explanations given by past authors are discussed. Then, profit maximization theory is explored for its inelastic pricing implications. It ends up that the local TV revenue relationships between MLB teams satisfy the situation that theory predicts would generate inelastic gate pricing. This suggests two things. First, inelastic pricing is consistent with profit maximizing team behavior. Second, fuller specification of revenue functions will enhance future work in the area. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodney Fort, 2004. "Inelastic sports pricing," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(2), pages 87-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:25:y:2004:i:2:p:87-94
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.1108
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennett, Nicholas I, 1984. "Attendances, Uncertainty of Outcome and Policy in Scottish League Football," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 31(2), pages 176-198, June.
    2. Thomas H. Bruggink, 1993. "National Pastime to Dismal Science: Using Baseball to Illustrate Economic Principles," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 19(3), pages 275-294, Summer.
    3. Stefan Kesenne, 2000. "Revenue Sharing and Competitive Balance in Professional Team Sports," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 1(1), pages 56-65, February.
    4. Rodney Fort & James Quirk, 1995. "Cross-subsidization, Incentives, and Outcomes in Professional Team Sports Leagues," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 33(3), pages 1265-1299, September.
    5. Sloane, Peter J, 1971. "The Economics of Professional Football: The Football Club as a Utility Maximiser," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 18(2), pages 121-146, June.
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