“I can watch all the games on my flatscreen and buy a sixer of excellent beer for $10. Or I can pay $50+ for tix, $35 for parking (at my own risk), and $10 each for 16oz of crummy beer. It’s kind of a no brainer for me1.” The likelihood of traffic jams, long lines for overpriced concession, misbehaving fans, and bad weather in comparison to a comfortable couch, high definition TV, surround-sound, large variety of games and channels are all factors that raise my curiosity to analyze how technology affects attendance. In this analysis, I will examine technology’s affect on attendance in two of the biggest leagues in American sports, which interest me the most, NFL and NHL. Do these leagues differ from each other in regards to this particular topic?
Issue
The overall turnout to NFL games has dropped by 4.5% since 2007. By now, NFL should have realized the declining attendance and implemented various changes to create a superior live experience compared to the at-home experience. On the other hand, Mark Jones believes that the decline in attendance of the 2013-2014 NHL season is a mirage when compared to previous seasons2. The league’s average attendance in 2013-2014 is only down by 0.39% compared to 2011-2012 season. The evolution of technology has progressed much faster than the added value of the in-game experience. How does the future look regarding the turnout to sporting events in NFL and NHL?
Data
NHL
Attendance of National Hockey League games varies depending on the team. The most attended team is the Chicago Blackhawks with an average attendance at home games of 117.6%3 of its stadiums capacity. The second most attended team in their home arena is Detroit Red Wings with an average attendance of 110.4%. The Los Angeles Kings are third with an average of 107.6%. On the other hand, the least attended team in the NHL is the Dallas Stars with an average of 79.1%. The second to last attended team is