Jumping on the bandwagon? Attendance response to recent victories in the NBA

Abstract This article studies whether a recent victory impacts attendance at sports events. We apply regression discontinuity design to estimate the local average treatment effect of win on subsequent games in professional basketball. Using National Basketball Association data from seasons 1980–81 2017–18, we find that home team fan bases react outcomes, with an increase approximately 425 attendants (a 3% boost) following close relative loss. The increment is one-eighth superstar effect. do not when visiting has victory, which provides evidence against existence externalities. positive base response narrow wins losses suggests luck rewarded sporting attendance. discuss possible mechanisms and document gradual decline coincides rise alternative means for viewing secondary markets tickets.