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Qualifying the Game Uncertainty Effect

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  • Scott Tainsky
  • Jie Xu
  • Yilun Zhou

Abstract

Much of the past empirical analysis of the Uncertainty of Outcome Hypothesis (UOH) has gauged the responsiveness of attendance to uncertainty in either the Major League Baseball or European football regular season. This study diverges from those studies by examining broadcast ratings for National Football League playoff games and testing the UOH in teams’ local markets as well as outside of the local markets of the competing teams. The research does not support that game uncertainty is related to ratings in local markets, but, consistent with the UOH, finds a fan preference for evenly matched teams outside of the local markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott Tainsky & Jie Xu & Yilun Zhou, 2014. "Qualifying the Game Uncertainty Effect," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 15(3), pages 219-236, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:15:y:2014:i:3:p:219-236
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002512457946
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wen-Jhan Jane, 2014. "The Relationship Between Outcome Uncertainties and Match Attendance: New Evidence in the National Basketball Association," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 45(2), pages 177-200, September.
    2. Adam Cox, 2018. "Spectator Demand, Uncertainty of Results, and Public Interest," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 19(1), pages 3-30, January.
    3. Chase Gooding & E. Frank Stephenson, 2017. "Superstars, Uncertainty of Outcome, and PGA Tour Television Ratings," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 18(8), pages 867-875, December.
    4. Judah Brown & Brandon J. Sheridan, 2020. "The Impact of National Anthem Protests on National Football League Television Ratings," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 21(8), pages 829-847, December.
    5. Brian M. Mills & Michael Mondello & Scott Tainsky, 2016. "Competition in shared markets and Major League Baseball broadcast viewership," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(32), pages 3020-3032, July.
    6. Steven Salaga & Scott Tainsky, 2015. "The Effects of Outcome Uncertainty, Scoring, and Pregame Expectations on Nielsen Ratings for Bowl Championship Series Games," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(5), pages 439-459, June.

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