Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
2017
College/Unit
College of Business and Economics
Document Number
17-16
Department/Program/Center
Economics
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 1981/82 through 2013/14. Regression models control for censoring due to sellouts, quality of teams, unobservable team/season heterogeneity, and expected game out-comes. The results show higher home and away attendance associated with superstar players. Michael Jordan generated the largest superstar attendance externality, generating an additional 5,021/5,631 fans at home/away games.
Digital Commons Citation
Humphreys, Brad and Johnson, Candon, "The Effect of Superstar Players on Game Attendance: Evidence from the NBA" (2017). Economics Faculty Working Papers Series. 29.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/econ_working-papers/29