Relocating Teams And Expanding Leagues In Professional Sports

In the business of professional league sports, market conditions are the key determinate of the financial success or failure of a team. In the last few years, major league sports has experienced both growth into new markets and relocations of existing teams. Owners and the leagues use demographics, economic data, and governmental support to decide on where and when to expand and relocate.

This book examines the sports business from 1950 through 2000. Historical demographic, economic, and team-related data provide the context. The authors apply metropolitan area statistics such as population growth and income, game attendance, and estimated market values to examine the business decisions made by individual teams in professional baseball, football, and basketball.

The book looks at specific teams in terms of their long-term viability as a franchise and ranks their performances in economic and business terms. It also examines the related issues of taxpayer subsidies for new venues and the economic impact of professional sports on cities and regions. The book is a fascinating and comprehensive look at the business of sports and its place in American society, business, and economics.

Review: Baseball is a cyclical business. If a franchise is struggling the owner has four options--sell, move, build a new park or file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Frank Jozsa and John Guthrie's book covers all these bases spendidly. They make astute observations and their conclusions are to the point and convincing.

I recommend Relocating Teams and Expanding Leagues in Professional Sports to any readers who love professional or college sports. The professional sports industry is a huge business and the authors have hit a home run with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I am sure that other readers will find it fascinating too. -Tommy John Director, Community Relations and Radio Broadcasts Charlotte Knights Former Major League Pitcher