Analyzing the Relationship between the Major League Baseball (MLB) Attendance and the Length of Baseball Games: A Hierarchical Linear Modeling of the 2010-19 MLB Seasons

Abstract

In order to investigate the relationship between Major League Baseball (MLB) attendance and game duration, this study analyzed the number of spectators throughout the 2010-19 MLB regular seasons (N=24,297) with attendance determinants identified in earlier studies. Also, a three-level hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used in consideration of the characteristics of attendance data for several seasons, teams, and individual games. A total of 27 independent variables were used in the current research, and 17 attendance determinants, including game duration (γ =4.45, p<.05), were identified as having a significant impact on the number of spectators. Furthermore, by confirming the hierarchical structure of the attendance data, this study highlights how critical it is to utilize appropriate analytical methods. Based on these findings and statistical analysis that confirmed MLB''s current attendance decline, these results will help in the development of a number of strategies to increase or sustain team’s attendance to practitioners.