Joris Drayer

Urban Minority Youth Swimming (In)Ability in the United States and Associated Demographic Characteristics: Toward a Drowning Prevention Plan

Objective: To examine swimming ability and variables associated with swimming for US inner-city, minority children. Empirical research on minority children’s swimming ability is non-existent, and drowning rates for this population are high. Design: Cross-sectional survey research. Descriptive statistics were produced. Multiple regression was applied using significant demographic variables by swimming ability. Setting: Six US cities were chosen (Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Oakland, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) facilities were used to solicit subjects. Subjects: A large sample (n = 1680) was gathered, which targeted poor, minority children. Parents of children aged 4–11 years and adolescents (12–17 years) completed surveys that research team members or trained YMCA staff supervised during non-swimming YMCA programmes. Results: African–American respondents reported a 57.5% “at risk” (unable to swim or uncomfortable in deep end of pool) swimming ability. Hispanic/Latino children confirmed a 56.2% “at risk” level as compared with 30.9% for white subjects. Age, sex, child’s lunch programme, parental education and race variables were all significantly (p<0.05) related to swimming ability. Regression analysis revealed that all demographic variables fell into a significant model (p<0.001) as predictor variables. Conclusions: Poor minority children, specifically African–American and Hispanic/Latino, are at a significant disadvantage concerning swimming ability. Female subjects were notably more “at risk” regarding their swimming ability than male subjects. Age, race and socioeconomic factors (lunch programme and parental education) were significantly associated with children who have low swimming ability.

Examining the impact of league entry fees on online fantasy sport participation and league consumption

Abstract After American legislators explicitly exempted fantasy sports from online gambling laws, legal theorists have debated whether or not playing fantasy sports for money warranted such an exemption. However, there is currently no survey-based research which has examined the relationship between gambling and the attitudes and behaviours of fantasy players. The current study surveyed 253 fantasy participants and separated respondents into groups based on whether or not they play fantasy baseball for money. Results indicate that those who play for money are increasingly motivated by the social benefits associated with participation and are not motivated by the opportunity to win money. This finding runs counter to research on traditional forms of gambling, which often reports strong anti-social tendencies associated with increased gambling along with a strong motivation for financial gain. Further, from the league and team perspective, those who play fantasy baseball for money actually exhibited higher levels of team-related consumption.

The legacy of fear: Is fear impacting fatal and non-fatal drowning of African American children?

African American children’s rates for fatal and non-fatal drowning events are alarmingly elevated, with some age groups having three times the rate as compared to White peers. Adequate swimming skills are considered a protective agent toward the prevention of drowning, but marginalized youth report limited swimming ability. This research examined minority children’s and parents/caregivers’ fear of drowning as a possible variable associated with limited swimming ability. Results confirmed that there were significant racial differences concerning the fear of drowning, and adolescent African American females were notably more likely to fear drowning while swimming than any other group. The “fear of drowning” responses by parents/ caregivers of minority children were also significantly different from their White counterparts.

“Thugs” versus “Good Guys”: The Impact of NBA Cares on Player Image

Abstract In the current social landscape, the media concentrate on the lifestyle and behavior of certain sport celebrities, and they demand that professional athletes display high standards of moral behavior. In addition, growing media intrusion presents the professional athlete as a “damaged hero”. The wealth and star status of professional athletes make them primary targets for the media. In light of the 2004 brawl and the increased controversy surrounding the National Basketball Association (NBA), the purpose of this exploratory study was to examine individuals’ perceptions towards the NBA players’ image. These perceptions were assessed relative to the leagues corporate social initiatives, such as the “NBA Cares” program, which are implemented in order to restore the credibility and image of the players. Results indicated an increased influence of the specific corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign on participants’ opinions towards the image of NBA players.

Making a case for the integration of the primary and secondary ticket markets for professional team sports in the United States

Many sports properties have had great success entering into sponsorship deals with secondary ticketing companies. However, additional benefits are possible with a reshaping of the structure of primary and secondary ticketing markets. Specifically, fully integrating both primary and secondary markets can help sports properties reduce ticket fraud, monitor fan behaviour, significantly increase revenue in both markets and improve the overall fan experience. This paper details each of these benefits and provides suggestions for programme development and administration.

Daily Fantasy Football and Self-Reported Problem Behavior in the United States

Traditional, season-long fantasy sport participation has grown considerably since the late 1990s, and in an attempt to capitalize on this growing demand, daily fantasy sports (DFS) providers have created a new game where money changes hands instantly. This change has led some legal commentators and state agencies to believe the game is a form of Internet gambling similar to online poker, blackjack, and sports wagering, and thus, it requires increased regulation or even prohibition. Little is known, however, about the gambling behavior associated with DFS participation. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to examine problem gambling severity in conjunction with DFS participant motives, perceptions, and consumption behavior. Over 500 DFS participants were surveyed, and the results suggest DFS participants behave similarly with participants in other forms of gambling activities. In addition, the findings suggest additional consumer protections may be needed to prevent further problem behavior such as chasing.

Price Elasticity of Demand in the Secondary Market: Evidence From the National Football League

This article investigates own-price elasticity of demand in the secondary (resale) market for National Football League (NFL) tickets. The sample is comprised of actual market transactions (prices and quantities exchanged) and an instrumental variable estimation method is employed. Price elasticity is estimated for the stadium as a whole as well as separately for the upper and lower venue levels and for four primary seat location categories within the venue. The results indicate that, counter to most estimates of price elasticity in the primary market, the secondary market for NFL tickets is characterized by elastic demand and that elasticity varies across different levels of seat quality.

Simulation in Sport Finance

Simulations have long been used in business schools to give students experience making real-world decisions in a relatively low risk environment. The OAKLAND A’S BASEBALL BUSINESS SIMULATOR takes a traditional business simulation and applies it to the sport industry, in which sales of tangible products are replaced by sales of experiences provided to fans. The simulator asks students to make decisions about prices for concessions, parking, and merchandise; player payroll expenses; funding for a new stadium; and more. On the basis of these inputs, the program provides detailed information about the state of the franchise after each simulated year, including attendance, winning percentage, revenues versus expenses, revenue sharing, and stadium financing. The use of simulations such as this one enhances students’ organizational skills and students’ ability to think critically and imaginatively about the data while applying relevant knowledge and an appropriate strategy to achieve the best possible results. This is particularly important in the field of sport management, in which few, if any, other simulators exist that are specific to the field.

On the Demand for Live Sport Contests: Insights From the Secondary Market for National Football League Tickets

This study examines the determinants of regular season National Football League (NFL) ticket prices on the secondary, or resale, market. Prices in the secondary market are dynamic and thus particularly useful for evaluating the demand for live NFL contests. A rich dataset is employed that contains information about all transactions conducted by a prominent ticketing site during a full NFL season and allows for a comprehensive investigation of the components of demand in this market. Included in the analysis is a first look at the demand for different seating locations within the stadium. The revealed determinants of demand for resale tickets were largely consistent with studies of the primary market; however, there are notable differences in spectators’ preferences for contest characteristics and uncertainty of outcome across the seating categories. The evidence also suggests that while hometown fans are the primary participants, visiting teams are likely active in the resale market.

Examining the relationship between legitimacy-building strategies and firm revenues

Research question: The secondary ticket market has traditionally lacked the perception that it was a safe and legitimate place to acquire tickets. The current study examined the relationship between legitimacy-building strategies, such as lobbying for the deregulation of anti-ticket-scalping laws and engaging in partnerships with established sport organizations, and the revenues generated by the largest secondary market firm, StubHub. This study was conducted within the context of National Football League (NFL) ticket resale. Research methods: StubHub provided ticket resale figures for all 256 regular season games which took place during the 2007 NFL season. Hierarchical regression was utilized in order to examine the relationships between both price restrictions and secondary market partnerships, and ticket resale price and ticket resale volume. Results and findings: Results indicate secondary market partnerships have a significant influence on firm revenues, increasing the number of transactions while accounting for only slight decreases in price. Anti-scalping laws have a less pronounced association with resale volume and price. Implications: This research extends academic literature on secondary market operations and provides practical implications as primary and secondary market firms as well as state and local legislatures may use the findings to inform their decision-making.