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The Dynamics of Elite Endorsements in Professional Sports Facility Referendums

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2021

David M. Paul  and
Clyde Brown
David M. Paul
Affiliation:
The Ohio State University-Newark
Clyde Brown
Affiliation:
Miami University
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Abstract

Over the past 20 years, nearly every major city in the United States has faced making the decision of whether to build a new stadium or other professional sports facility. In this period, 41 referendums have been held to authorize the public financing of such a facility. Previous studies have demonstrated that elite endorsements affect referendum voters, but these studies have not differentiated the effects of different kinds of elites on public support. We examine the differing effects of the support and opposition of elected officials, business groups, minority leaders, and community groups when modeling referendum outcomes. Our analysis reveals that among these elites' cues, opposition by elected officials (either Republican or Democratic) has the greatest effect on the final referendum vote and that the size of the public subsidy has a significant influence on public support. We also find evidence that opposition by elected officials is exogenous to public opinion.

Type
Research Article
Information
State Politics & Policy Quarterly , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , Fall 2006 , pp. 272 - 299
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

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