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Yes, There is an Economic Consensus That Professional Sports Facilities are Inadvisable Public Investments: A Reply to Johnson, Fort, and Rosentraub

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  • John Charles Bradbury
  • Brad R. Humphreys

Abstract

In a recent issue of Economic Development Quarterly , Johnson et al. took issue with the contention that there is a strong scholarly consensus that professional sports facilities are not advisable public investments. Johnson et al. argued that opinion surveys of economists may be flawed, research reaches somewhat ambiguous conclusions, and that existing reviews of academic literature do not provide a balanced assessment of the evidence. Thus, Johnson et al. concluded that a judicious policy approach requires weighing the costs and benefits of individual stadium projects. This reply evaluates these claims and demonstrates that they do not have merit; therefore, it is accurate to describe the academic consensus as generally opposed to public underwriting of professional sports venues.

Suggested Citation

  • John Charles Bradbury & Brad R. Humphreys, 2026. "Yes, There is an Economic Consensus That Professional Sports Facilities are Inadvisable Public Investments: A Reply to Johnson, Fort, and Rosentraub," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 40(2), pages 179-186, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:40:y:2026:i:2:p:179-186
    DOI: 10.1177/08912424261418035
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z28 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Policy

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