On-court Performance Research Articles

Effects of Perceptual-Cognitive Training on Anticipation and Decision-Making Skills in Team Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Team sports require athletes' exceptional perceptual-cognitive skills, such as anticipation and decision-making. Perceptual-cognitive training in laboratories aims to enhance these abilities. However, its effectiveness in real-game performance remains controversial, necessitating a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine optimal training methods. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched databases (e.g., PubMed, WOS, Scopus, and EBSCO) for relevant studies published before November 2023, assessed study quality, extracted important characteristics, and conducted a meta-analysis using Stata 15.1. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023494324). A total of 22 quantitative studies involving 45 effect sizes were included. Perceptual-cognitive training positively influenced elite athletes' anticipation and decision-making. However, its transfer effect on real-game performance improvement (ES = 0.65) was inferior to laboratory performance improvement (ES = 1.51). Sub-group analyses indicated that the effects of training interventions varied based on stimulus presentation and intervention duration. Based on our findings, we concluded that while perceptual-cognitive training improved on-court performance, its transfer effects were limited. To maximize effectiveness, future interventions should use virtual reality to present training stimuli and incorporate participants' sport-specific responses to reflect real-game scenarios.

Analysis of the Relationship between NBA Player Salary and Their On-Court Performances

This research attempts to investigate the connection between NBA player salary and on-court performance. By collecting and analyzing NBA player salary data and related game statistics, some interesting trends and correlations are found. Through scatter plots, error-bar, bar chart and clustered line showing the direct relationships between the factors of players performance and their salaries. In addition, the importance of the independent and dependent variables is examined using correlation analysis in order to judge their positive or negative relationships. Linear Regression model could show the level of influencing on the variables. The results of the study show that some highly paid players perform well in the game. Further statistical analysis shows that players score attempt is not the only factor affecting their salaries, and factors such as assists and blocks made per game also play an important role. These findings have implications for managers, players and fans, and help to better understand and evaluate the true value of players.

Differences in anthropometric and vertical jump force-time characteristics between U16 and U18 female basketball players.

Considering the importance of body composition and lower-body strength and power for basketball players' on-court performance, as well as a lack of sports science research focused on female athletes, the purpose of the present investigation was to record the anthropometric and countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) characteristics of top-tier U16 and U18 female basketball players and examine between-group differences in the aforementioned tests. Thirty-two athletes who were a part of the national basketball academy volunteered to participate in the present investigation. Following the body composition assessment conducted via a segmental multifrequency bioimpedance analyzer, athletes performed three CMJs while standing on a force plate system sampling at 1000 Hz. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to examine between-group differences. The findings reveal significant differences in body composition and lower-body neuromuscular performance characteristics between female basketball players ages 16 and 18. Although no differences were observed in muscle and body fat percentages, the U18 group had significantly greater height, overall body mass (both muscle and fat mass), as well as greater segmental fat-free mass (trunk, both legs and arms), intracellular and extracellular water, and body mass index when compared to their U16 counterparts. On the other hand, the U18 group demonstrated longer eccentric, concentric, and braking phase duration, as well as overall contraction time when compared to the U16 players. In addition, the U18 athletes exhibited higher eccentric mean force and power, concentric impulse, peak power, and mean and peak force.

Look What We Have Here: Exploring Brand-Related Sport Consumer Twitter Conversation Topics

Abstract: As sport organizations leverage social media as a critical component of marketing strategy, tools for exploring the large volume of sport consumer social media conversations are vital. This scholarship demonstrates the value of unsupervised latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) as a tool for exploring consumers' digital conversations. Specifically, unsupervised LDA was applied to derive latent topics among Women's National Basketball Association-related Twitter conversation over the course of the 2020 season. Quantitative (cv and umass scores) and qualitative (two expert reviews) approaches were utilized to delineate topic configurations. Marginal topic distance established topic importance. Results from 118,518 tweets revealed 18 conversation topics spanning two overarching themes: social justice issues and on-court performance. The range and depth of the results highlight the importance of the unsupervised topic modeling method (without semi-supervised predetermined topic leads) for considering holistic rather than subsampled or snapshot datasets. This empirical investigation extends the conversation surrounding natural language processing to sport management research and practice, delivers a foundation for unsupervised LDA application to sport consumer conversation, and explores social media conversations during a critical moment for the WNBA.

Vertical jump neuromuscular performance of professional female handball players-starters vs. non-starters comparison.

Given the complex nature of the handball as a game, players are required to possess a distinct set of physical and physiological attributes to attain peak performance. With the countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) being widely implemented as a non-invasive and time-efficient testing modality in sports settings, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to establish a CVJ profile of professional female handball players and (b) to examine differences in force-time metrics between starters and non-starters. Forty-two professional female handball players (e.g., SuperLeague) volunteered to participate in this study. Each athlete performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing while standing on a uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz. Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in each variable between starters and non-starters. The results revealed that starters attained superior performance within the eccentric phase of the CVJ when compared to non-starters, particularly in terms of eccentric peak velocity (-0.957 ± 0.242 vs. -0.794 ± 0.177 m·s-1), eccentric mean power (320.0 ± 77.7 vs. 267.1 ± 75.2 W), and eccentric peak power (929.0 ± 388.1 vs. 684.4 ± 214.2 W). While not reaching the level of statistical significance, moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed for concentric impulse, peak velocity, and mean and peak force and power, all in favor of players included in the starting lineup (g = 0.439-0.655). Overall, these findings suggest that at the top-tier level of handball competition, the ability to secure a spot in a starting lineup may be possibly influenced by the athlete's eccentric performance capabilities. Thus, the development of lower-body eccentric strength and power may positively impact on-court athlete performance and ultimately help the team secure the desired game outcome.

Reinforcement Learning Algorithm to Optimize Players' Tactical Decisions and Round Planning in Tennis Matches

This paper explores the application of the Ranking Genetic Optimization Reinforcement Learning (RGORL) algorithm to optimize players' tactical decisions and round planning in tennis matches. Leveraging evolutionary principles and reinforcement learning techniques, RGORL offers a data-driven framework for enhancing on-court performance. Extensive simulations demonstrate the algorithm's effectiveness in improving match outcomes, points won percentages, and games won percentages. Results illustrate a steady improvement in fitness scores over successive generations, indicating RGORL's ability to evolve and refine strategies over time. Analysis of tactical decisions reveals the superiority of strategies such as the "Net Approach" in terms of win rates, points won percentages, and games won percentages. Through extensive simulations, RGORL demonstrates a notable improvement in match outcomes, with a maximum increase of 13% in win rates. Analysis of tactical decisions reveals significant enhancements in points won percentages, with improvements of up to 34% observed across various strategies, notably the "Net Approach." Furthermore, the algorithm achieves substantial gains in games won percentages, with increases of up to 25% recorded.

A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming Approach to Optimize Tennis Regimens for Young Athletes in Korea

The popularity of tennis has been surging among young individuals in South Korea, as it offers an appealing alternative to other sports like golf. With this surge in popularity, there is a corresponding increase in competitive intensity, making the optimization of training regimens crucial for success. While athletes in this sport commonly engage in a variety of training activities there has been limited systematic research that offers a quantitatively validated approach for balancing these activities to maximize on-court performance. This study aims to fill this gap by providing an optimization model tailored to the specific requirements of tennis training. Through surveying 48 prospective athletes in South Korea, the study establishes upper and lower bounds for each of 4 activities: Serving Practice, Ground Strokes Practice, Physical Conditioning, and Mental Training. Multiple regression analysis is then used to calculate the weights of each training activity in an objective function, formulated to measure on-court performance. A Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model is employed to allocate optimal weekly training hours to each activity, based on these weights and constraints. The study concludes by identifying an optimal training schedule that maximizes the value of the objective function, thereby optimizing on-court performance. The convergence of the objective and best bound at a low level further substantiates the optimality of the discovered solution.

Injury Patterns and Impact on Performance in the NBA League Using Sports Analytics

This research paper examines Sports Analytics, focusing on injury patterns in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and their impact on players’ performance. It employs a unique dataset to identify common NBA injuries, determine the most affected anatomical areas, and analyze how these injuries influence players’ post-recovery performance. This study’s novelty lies in its integrative approach that combines injury data with performance metrics and salary data, providing new insights into the relationship between injuries and economic and on-court performance. It investigates the periodicity and seasonality of injuries, seeking patterns related to time and external factors. Additionally, it examines the effect of specific injuries on players’ per-match analytics and performance, offering perspectives on the implications of injury rehabilitation for player performance. This paper contributes significantly to sports analytics, assisting coaches, sports medicine professionals, and team management in developing injury prevention strategies, optimizing player rotations, and creating targeted rehabilitation plans. Its findings illuminate the interplay between injuries, salaries, and performance in the NBA, aiming to enhance player welfare and the league’s overall competitiveness. With a comprehensive and sophisticated analysis, this research offers unprecedented insights into the dynamics of injuries and their long-term effects on athletes.

Competitive Season-Long Changes in Countermovement Vertical Jump Force-Time Metrics in Female Volleyball Players.

Cabarkapa, DV, Cabarkapa, D, Philipp, NM, and Fry, AC. Competitive season-long changes in countermovement vertical jump force-time metrics in female volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): e72-e77, 2024-Although force plates remain one of the most widely used tools for neuromuscular performance assessment in applied sports-specific settings, there is still a lack of scientific literature focused on studying changes in countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) performance in team sports such as volleyball, especially within the female athlete population. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine season-long neuromuscular performance changes in volleyball players. Eighteen National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division-I collegiate female athletes performed 3 maximal-effort CVJs while standing on a uniaxial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz at 5 different testing timepoints throughout a competitive season span (∼11 weeks). The testing sessions were separated 2-3 weeks apart and performed at the approximately same time of the day (12:00 hours). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that both concentric and eccentric force-time metrics remain relatively unchanged throughout a regular season span (e.g., concentric peak force and power, eccentric impulse and duration). However, the eccentric metrics such as peak and mean power and peak velocity displayed a slight improvement after a brief tapering period purposely implemented before the post-season competition to optimize the athlete's recovery (∼15, 18, and 14% increase, respectively). In addition, the outcome metrics such as vertical jump height and reactive strength index-modified did not display notable fluctuations across the competitive season span. These findings can help coaches, sports scientists, and strength and conditioning practitioners to obtain a deeper insight into collegiate female athletes' force-time characteristics that may aid with developing adequate training regimens targeted toward optimizing on-court performance.

Effect of Plyometric Training versus Swiss Ball Training on Core Strength, Agility and Dynamic Balance in Recreational Badminton Players: A Research Protocol

Introduction: Badminton is a recreational, versatile, explosive sprint sport. The player needs core strength, agility, and dynamic balance. Resistance training used in plyometric activities helps to improve the athlete’s strength and fitness. Swiss ball training, a widely embraced method of functional exercise, enhances balance, core stability, flexibility, and overall strength. Need for the study: This study fills a gap in knowledge by exploring the effects of plyometric training and Swiss ball training on core strength, agility, and dynamic balance in recreational badminton players. It seeks to enhance on-court performance and prevent injuries by determining, which method is more effective. Tailored training programs can then be developed further based on individual responses to these methods. By providing evidence-based data, the study aims to support and guide the strength and conditioning coaches, trainers, and players in making appropriate decision about training approaches, ensuring optimal results and minimising injury risks in badminton. Aim: To find out the effect of Plyometric training versus Swiss Ball training on core strength, agility, and dynamic balance in recreational badminton players. Methodology: A non-blinded, randomised controlled parallelgroup trial will be conducted for a period of one year from January 2024 to December 2024. Participants will be recruited from Wardha’s District Badminton Stadium and will sign a consent form after meeting inclusion or exclusion criteria. They will be randomly divided into Group-A- Plyometric training and Group-B-Swiss ball training by the primary researcher. Outcome measures will be assessed pre and post-intervention. The analysis will be conducted using the free version of R-software. Significance in mean baseline variables will be assessed using either the t-test or Mann-Whitney test for the two assessment periods. Pairwise comparisons between the two groups for significant differences will be conducted using either the paired t-test or Wilcoxon test. The p-value will be evaluated at a 5% level of significance (p≤0.05).

Recovery Methods in Basketball: A Systematic Review.

Although different strategies have been implemented to manage recovery-fatigue status in athletes, there is still a lack of consensus on which recovery protocols have the greatest impact and effectiveness when implemented with basketball players, including both physiological and psychological recovery methods. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to: (a) determine which recovery methods attain the greatest benefit in restoring the process of attenuating fatigue and (b) provide sports practitioners with guidelines on how some of the most effective recovery strategies can be used to optimize athletes' recovery and ultimately enhance their performance. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 3931 research reports were obtained through four database searches (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science), from which only 25 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The recovery protocols analyzed in this systematic review were: sleep, nutrition, hydration, ergogenic aids, cold-water immersion, compression garments, massage, acupuncture, tapering, mindfulness, and red-light irradiation. The results revealed that all recovery strategies are capable of attenuating fatigue and enhancing recovery in basketball players to a certain degree. However, an individualized approach should be promoted, where a combination of proactive recovery modalities appears to result in the most rapid rates of recovery and athletes' ability to maintain high-level performance. Recovery should be programmed as an integral component of training regimens. Also, cooperation and communication between coaches, players, and the rest of the team staff members are essential in minimizing the risk of non-functional overreaching or injury and optimizing basketball players' on-court performance.

A Systematic Review: Significance of Plyometric Training on Functional Performance and Bone Mineral Density in Basketball Players of Different Age Groups

Aim: Basketball necessitates a holistic approach to player development, encompassing both skill and physicality, with a critical emphasis on understanding these requirements due to its complex tactics. Plyometric training’s potential in sport performance lacks comprehensive research. This systematic review, guided by PRISMA guidelines, aims to analyse diverse range of literature concerning healthy athletes, investigating its significance on functional performance and bone mineral density in basketball players of different age groups (pre-teen, adolescent, and young adult).Methods: The study conducted electronic searches in databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate, supplemented with manual reference searches, covering the period from 2013 to June 2023. Initially, 783 items were identified. Inclusion criteria involved English-language publications focusing on basketball players aged 8 to 28 years, assessing plyometric training’s effect on functional performance with quantitative measurements. Screening began with titles and abstracts, followed by full-text evaluation to ensure eligibility.Results: A database search yielded 26 peer-reviewed articles, primarily randomized controlled trials, showing significant functional improvements through plyometric training (4-36 weeks, 2-3 times weekly). Assessments covered explosive leg power, agility, sprinting, muscle strength, and bone density. Male participants dominated, but female and mixed-gender groups were included. Results consistently highlighted plyometric training’s positive impact with statistical significance.Conclusion: This review provides evidence that plyometric training improves agility, sprinting ability, leg power, basketball skills as well as BMD across different age groups of players. It establishes plyometrics as effective for boosting on-court performance. Integrating plyometric training holds great promise in advancing athlete success in basketball.

Salivary Testosterone and Cortisol Changes During a Game in Professional Male Basketball Players.

Cabarkapa, D, Eserhaut, DA, Cabarkapa, DV, Philipp, NM, and Fry, AC. Salivary testosterone and cortisol changes during a game in professional male basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1687-1691, 2023-The purpose of this study was to examine acute changes in salivary testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T/C) during a simulated 5-on-5 basketball game. Seven professional male basketball players volunteered to participate in this study. Repeated-measures analysis design was used to examine changes in hormonal concentrations across 8 testing time points: immediately upon arrival to the gymnasium-baseline (BS); post-warm-up (PW); post-first (P1Q), second (P2Q), third (P3Q), and fourth quarter (P4Q); and 30 (P30) and 60 minutes (P60) postgame. The findings of this study indicate that a simulated 5-on-5 basketball game provoked significant changes in salivary T, C, and T/C. When compared to the BS levels (x̄ ± SD [nmol·L-1]; 6.72 ± 2.53), salivary C concentration experienced a notable increase P3Q (16.20 ± 7.70) and remained elevated throughout the rest of the sampling periods, with values failing to return to BS levels P60 (11.88 ± 5.58). Conversely, a significant increase in salivary T occurred P1Q (0.76 ± 0.21) when compared to the BS levels (0.58 ± 0.12) and remained elevated up to P30 (0.75 ± 0.20), with values returning to BS levels P60 (0.63 ± 0.14). In addition, despite no significant intragame alterations, T/C exhibited a notable decrease P30 (0.06 ± 0.02) and P60 (0.07 ± 0.04), when compared to BS values (0.10 ± 0.04). Overall, these findings provide additional insight into the physiological stress that basketball players are exposed to during 5-on-5 competitive play and can be used to appropriately adjust and monitor training loads to optimize recovery and on-court basketball performance.

Validity and Reliability of the V-Cut Dribbling Test in Young Basketball Players.

Change of direction while dribbling appears to be of interest for on-court performance in basketball. The study aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the V-cut dribbling test (VcutBk) in young basketball players. Ninety-two young basketball players from 8 to 21years old (74% male) were classified in relation to peak height velocity (PHV) offset. To examine validity and test-retest reliability, VcutBk was performed in 2 identical sessions separated by 1week. Participants also performed the V-cut test and linear sprint test with and without dribbling to analyze correlations between tests in different somatic maturity stages. The relationships of the VcutBk with the other tests and skill-time-related deficits were interpreted from large (r > .51) to very large (r > .71). The comparisons between pre-PHV and post-PHV groups of basketball players showed significant and large effect in the VcutBk (d = 2.04;mean difference = 2.59;95% CI, 1.86 to 3.32). Also, significant main effects when comparing PHV groups were reported in all skill-time-related deficits (P < .001, ηp2=.13-.28, moderate to large effect size). Test-retest reliability and signal-to-noise ratio analysis did not show substantial between-trials differences in VcutBk. Reliability scores showed high intraclass correlation coefficient (.95) and low coefficient of variation (0.23%). The VcutBk seems to be a valid and reliable test to assess change of direction while dribbling. VcutBk performance and skill-time-related deficits seem to be sensitive to somatic maturity. Basketball coaches should consider the VcutBk to assess young basketball players.

Impact of Innovation Technology and Development in Performance Evaluation

A "double-edged sword" is modern science and technology. On the one hand, it not only enhanced competitive sports and continuously produced new sporting goods, but it also enhanced the environment and equipment used for training, supported movement technology, and altered the values associated with sports. Modern technologies, on the other hand, have also aided in the alienation of technology, undermined physical fitness activities, and caused faults in competitive sports that rendered fair competition meaningless and led to a number of unjust social issues. Observing and analyzing player performance, particularly in team-based sports, is challenging due to the intricacy of the constraints that surround it. The absence of standardized observational tools and the urgent need to develop powerful, computerized systems coding are among the key problems in this regard. These problems must all be addressed as part of a strategy that is appropriate for contexts that are natural and normal. Video analysis, notational analysis, and scouting can all be used to evaluate a player's on-court basketball performance during a live game in a natural and ordinary setting. This essay seeks to emphasize the impact of contemporary science and technology on sport, with a focus on performance evaluation.

The Body Composition Effects on Physical Tests and On-Court Game Performance of U-14 Elite Portuguese Basketball Players

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of body composition, particularly body fat percentage (BF%) and fat-free mass (FFM), on physical fitness and players’ on-court performance in U-14 elite Portuguese basketball players. A total of 166 male basketball players (age, 13.80 ± 0.38 years) and 131 female basketball players (age, 13.57 ± 0.55 years) from under-14 (U-14) elite regional teams were evaluated. Differences between body composition groups, regarding physical tests and performance-related variables, adjusted for years at age peak velocity (YAPHV), were evaluated using ANCOVA tests, for male and female players. Results showed that: (i) low body fat male players jumped significantly higher and had more relative jumping power, were faster, and had better game performance than higher body fat male players, (ii) higher fat-free mass male players revealed significantly higher upper body strength and gained more rebounds than other players, (iii) higher body fat female players threw the medicinal ball further than other female players, and (iv) higher fat-free mass female players had significantly more upper body strength and jumped significantly lower than low fat-free mass female players. In conclusion, BF% seems to be oppositely associated with physical fitness and on-court performance in male basketball players, and FFM seems to be related to upper body strength in both sexes. Coaches should promote interventions that target lower BF% and ideal FFM mass values to improve physical and on-court performance in youth basketball.

Dose–response effect of incremental lateral-wedge hardness on the lower limb Biomechanics during typical badminton footwork

ABSTRACT Badminton footwork has been characterised with jump-landing, cross step, side side and lunges, which requires movement agility to facilitate on-court performance. A novel badminton shoe design with systematic increase of lateral wedge hardness (Asker C value of 55, 60, 65, and 70) was developed and investigated in this study, aiming to analyse the dose–response effect of incremental wedge hardness on typical badminton footwork. Stance time and joint stiffness were employed to investigate the footwork performance, and the factorial Statistical non-Parametric Mapping and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to quantify the biomechanical responses over the stance. As reported, shorter contact times (decreased by 8.9%–13.5%) and increased joint stiffness (in side step) of foot-ankle complex were found, suggesting improved footwork stability and agility from increased hardness. Time-varying differences were noted during the initial landing and driving-off phase of cross and side steps and drive-off returning of lunges, suggesting facilitated footwork performance. The reconstructed modes of variations from PCA further deciphered the biomechanical response to the wedge dosage, especially during drive-off, to understand the improved footwork agility and stability.

DEA 모형을 통한 한국프로농구 선수의 포제션 대비 생산 효율성 측면의 선수 가치평가 및 경기력 영향 분석

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to conduct a DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) assessment to evaluate the efficiency of Korean Basketball League (KBL) players and to distinguish efficient player types based on the concept of possession input.BR Method: We theoretically extended the traditional concept of ball possession in the sport management literature by evaluating player efficiency based on ball possession. We suggested an accurate measurement of possession-based efficiency of Korean professional basketball players, typically utilized by the DEA methodology.BR Results: The empirical results of this study represented that on-court performance and efficiency of players vary based on the level of ball possessions, configuring a precise evaluation to measure a professional basketball player’s efficiency. Based on our findings, we descriptively identified our understanding of the fundamental segmentation of players with a spectrum of ‘extreme-level of ball possession efficiency (ball hog)’ and ‘effective-level ball possession efficiency (bule-collar worker)’. To rigorously estimate, empirically measure, and evaluate players’ efficiency, we conducted regression analysis. The results indicated that possession-based player efficiency was associated with their floor impact counter (FIC) performance.BR Conclusion: In summary, the findings of this study imply that possession-based player efficiency is one of the most significant player evaluation features affecting on-court performance.

Examining the Impact of Social Media Following on Player Salary in the National Basketball Association: A Multivariate Statistical Analysis

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has the highest average player salary of any professional sports league that exists. In previous studies, it has been found that on-court performance statistics, such as points per game and rebounds per game, are key determinants of NBA players’ salaries. This study contributes to the literature by examining the effects of other on-court performance statistics such as real plus minus, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. In addition, we test the relationship between NBA players’ social media following and their salaries. The multivariate analyses in our study show that points per game, real plus minus, and social media following are the most essential three factors determining NBA players’ salaries. The implications for NBA research and practice are discussed.

For the Money or the Thrill of the Game: The Financial Performance of National Basketball Association Arena Sponsors

Companies that sponsor NBA arenas spend millions of dollars each year for the naming rights. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the financial performance of the sponsoring companies over the course of the sponsorship. Managers appear to believe that such expenditures generate net financial benefits for their companies; however, measuring such returns can be elusive. We examine the impact of sponsorship on sales growth and stock price returns before, during, and (if applicable) after the sponsorship of the sponsoring companies. We then explore if the following factors moderate or enhance the sponsorship results – the NBA team’s on-court performance during the regular season, the performance during the playoffs, and whether the sponsor’s corporate headquarters are co-located with the arena. We find evidence of negative sales growth associated with sponsorships, but if the NBA team makes the playoffs, that performance positively correlates with the sponsoring company’s stock price return.