The purpose of this research study was to develop a base of information that will facilitate a determination of the value to the sports consumer of marketing concepts such as luxury box facilities. A finding that the luxury box concept likely will enhance financial stability of franchises, thereby stabilizing market locations, could lead to a determination that the luxury box concept is of value to the sports consumer. In the absence of such a finding, however, the luxury box concept may well be deemed as just one more strategy to transfer funds from the sports consumer to franchise owners and players without providing any added value to the sports consumer.
The research findings indicated that the construction in luxury boxes would provide substantial financial benefits for all franchises in the NHL, regardless of market size. The research findings also indicated, however, that the improvements in financial stability provided by the construction of luxury boxes likely would not prove to a sufficient incentive for franchise owners to preserve franchise location stability in the NHL.
One conclusion drawn from the study findings is that the construction of luxury boxes is in the best interests of the franchise owners in the NHL in the short-term. For the long-term, however, the conclusion drawn is that the NHL will not survive in its present structure because of shifting franchises. Perhaps the answer for the future of major commercial sports enterprises is the creation of virtual franchises whose games are seen only via television; thereby permitting all franchises to be located conveniently in Hollywood.
I - INTRODUCTION ..................................... 1
Statement of the Problem ......................... 1
Statement of the Purpose ......................... 2
Definition of Terms .............................. 3
Limitations ...................................... 4
II - REVIEW OF THE L...