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The Effect of Superstars on Game Attendance: Evidence From the NBA

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  • Brad R. Humphreys
  • Candon Johnson

Abstract

Economic models predict that “superstar†players generate externalities that increase attendance and other revenue sources beyond their individual contributions to team success. We investigate the effect of superstar players on individual game attendance at National Basketball Association games from 1981-1982 through 2013-2014. Regression models control for censoring due to sellouts, quality of teams, unobservable team/season heterogeneity, and expected game outcomes. The results show higher home and away attendance associated with some superstar players. Michael Jordan generated the largest superstar attendance externality, generating an additional 4,837/4,236 fans at home/away games.

Suggested Citation

  • Brad R. Humphreys & Candon Johnson, 2020. "The Effect of Superstars on Game Attendance: Evidence From the NBA," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 21(2), pages 152-175, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:21:y:2020:i:2:p:152-175
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002519885441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. E. Frank Stephenson, 2024. "International Competitions, Star Players, and NWSL Attendance," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(2), pages 186-199, February.
    3. Scott M. Kaplan, 2022. "Putting a price on popularity: Evidence from superstars in the National Basketball Association," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(3), pages 1357-1381, July.
    4. Kunz-Kaltenhäuser, Philipp, 2021. "Is the NFL's Pro Bowl broken? Considering the players' perspective," Ilmenau Economics Discussion Papers 149, Ilmenau University of Technology, Institute of Economics.
    5. Candon Johnson & Eduardo Minuci, 2020. "Wage discrimination in the NBA: Evidence using free agent signings," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 87(2), pages 517-539, October.
    6. Shane D. Sanders, 2024. "Wages, Talent, and Demand for NCAA Sport After the Alston v. NCAA Antitrust Case," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 25(2), pages 169-185, February.
    7. Carl Singleton & Dominik Schreyer, 2023. "Cristiano of Arabia: Did Ronaldo increase Saudi Pro League attendances?," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2023-14, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    8. Jaume García & Plácido Rodríguez & Federico Todeschini, 2020. "The Demand for the Characteristics of Football Matches: A Hedonic Price Approach," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 21(7), pages 688-704, October.
    9. Kunz-Kaltenhäuser, Philipp, 2023. "Sports teams' home market size in the digital age: Analyzing social media drawing power," Ilmenau Economics Discussion Papers 175, Ilmenau University of Technology, Institute of Economics.
    10. Hojun Sung & Hyunwoong Pyun, 2023. "Disaggregated Attendance Demand: Comparing Daily Ticket Purchasers and Season Ticket Holders in K-League 1," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 24(6), pages 717-736, August.
    11. Roman Vavrek, 2021. "An Analysis of Usage of a Multi-Criteria Approach in an Athlete Evaluation: An Evidence of NHL Attackers," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-22, June.
    12. Yan Feng & Jinbao Wang & Yeujun Yoon, 2020. "Online Webcast Demand vs. Offline Spectating Channel Demand (Stadium and TV) in the Professional Sports League," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, November.
    13. Rodrigo Schneider & Peter Allmen & Garrett Munck, 2022. "The impact of winter Olympic games participation on NHL attendance," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 253-270, December.
    14. Jan C. van Ours, 2022. "The contribution of Johan Cruyff to success and stadium attendance at Feyenoord," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(18), pages 1752-1755, October.
    15. Hiroaki Funahashi & Shintaro Sato & Takuya Furukawa, 2022. "COVID-19 and Attendance Demand for Professional Sport in Japan: A Multilevel Analysis of Repeated Cross-Sectional National Data during the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
    16. Patrick J. Ferguson & Matthew Pinnuck, 2022. "Superstar Productivity and Pay: Evidence from the Australian Football League," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 98(321), pages 166-190, June.

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