The many dimensions of competitive balance and the attendance of major league baseball

Lei, Xinrong

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/15503 Copy

Description

Title

The many dimensions of competitive balance and the attendance of major league baseball

Author(s)

Lei, Xinrong

Issue Date

2010-05-14T20:43:11Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Humphreys, Brad R.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Wicks, Bruce E.

Committee Member(s)

• Humphreys, Brad R.
• He, Xuming
• Janke, Megan C.

Department of Study

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Competitive Balance
• Game Importance
• Growth Model
• Uncertainty of Outcome
• Multidimensionality
• Measures

Abstract

This research proposed a set of measures of Competitive Balance which aims to address three dimensions of Competitive Balance: Closeness, Dominance and Consistency. Longitudinal MLB data is used for empirical evaluation purpose. The matched pair of teams is used as the basic research object in this study, and the growth model is applied to analyze the relationship between game attendances and the proposed measures of Competitive Balance. Research confirmed that Competitive Balance is multidimensional, and not every dimension of Competitive Balance is correlated with game attendance. Fans prefer changes, and they are not attracted by consecutive wins or losses. Rather fans are more like to go to games that can potentially affect teams’ standings in their divisions or league. Fans show no specific preferences to upset games.

Graduation Semester

2010-5

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/15503

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2010 Xinrong Lei. All rights reserved.

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