Before They Turn Pro: Superstar Attendance Effects in the Ontario Hockey League (2011-2019)

Abstract

This paper researches superstar player effects on the announced attendance and the probability of a sellout in the Ontario Hockey League for the 2011-2012 to the 2019-2020 regular seasons. Using a rich panel data set of game-level information, I find superstar players have a significant positive effect on the attendance of regular season games. Superstar players are also found to have an economically significant impact on the probability of a sellout, but this latter result is in most cases statistically insignificant. Finally, the superstar effect for sellouts and attendance are seen to change depending on the definition of a superstar, and also if the superstar plays on the home or away team.