Publicly owned single purpose stadiums and multipurpose arenas: A comparative analysis of economic characteristics and use diversity

This dissertation examines the economic characteristics and use diversity of publicly owned single purpose stadiums and multipurpose arenas with a major league professional sports team tenant and multipurpose arenas with a minor league sports team tenant for a one year period. The purpose of this research is to ascertain whether differences exist and may be driven by categories of facility type (single purpose stadiums and multipurpose arenas) and tenancy (major league or minor league sports team). Despite a significant body of literature arguing the expenditure of public funds for major league professional sports is not a wise investment, the trend of public subsidization of new and rehabilitated facilities continues. Facilities constructed for minor league sports have not received significant attention.;Comparisons of economic characteristics, such as leakage and facility capital cost, and comparisons of use diversity and civic utilization are performed between single purpose stadiums and multipurpose arenas with major league sports tenants. These same comparisons were made between multipurpose arenas with a major league tenant and those with a minor league sports team primary tenant. The findings of this reconnaissance comparative planning analysis are that significant differences in economic characteristics and use diversity exist, in particular between multipurpose arenas with a major league tenant and those with a minor league tenant.;This dissertation does not investigate or argue that the investment of public funds into facilities utilized for professional sports is fiscally prudent. It does, however, find that facilities utilized for professional sports should not be classified as a single category and future research should consider type and tenancy. Additional detailed longitudinal analyses are warranted and are needed to provide public officials committed to a sports-based economic development strategy with the data needed to make the wisest, least risky investment decisions.