The star player effect: does the quality of a player impact attendance in the NBA?

Abstract

General managers and owners of teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) often find themselves optimizing their checkbook, navigating the salary cap, and improving team chemistry to develop this complicated formula to maximize the number of wins and attendance. NBA teams have two main goals each season, maximize attendance at games and win championships. However, are these goals mutually exclusive? Star players help teams achieve rings, as well as sell tickets to faithful fans. This paper will delve into different variables that describe star players and determine which ones maximize attendance at games. What factors should general managers and owners consider when determining an appropriate salary for a free agent signing? Which methods for defining a star player are most effective? This paper will allow the data and regressions to provide an insight into what creates reoccurring sell-out crowds.