Noted sports economist Brad Humphreys is blogging at The Sports Economist. He writes:
Claiming that a playoff game generates positive economic impact is similar to claiming that weekends generate positive economic impact. Imagine the headline in the business section: Bar, Restaurant Sales Surge on Friday and Saturday Night! Postseason appearances generate civic pride and contribute to fans and city residents feeling good about themselves and their home. They also give cities national and international media exposure that would not have taken place in the absence of postseason appearances. But a large body of evidence indicates that postseason play generates no significant economic impact on the local economy.
Together with Dennis Coates, he authored a paper on the subject (subscription required). This link to another paper by Victor Matheson and Robert Baade which comes to a similar conclusion is free. Check out the tables at the end.
Also on the subject of the World Series, John Palmer, Phil Miller, and King Banaian did a podcast on Radioeconomics. I'm listening to it now.
Oh, and apparently scalping is now legal in Illinois. (Hat tip: John Palmer)
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