Today the St. Louis Rams, 0-3 so far this season, pin their hopes on switching to a new starting quarterback in the effort to notch the first win of the season. A victory could not only lift the spirits of Rams fans, but could also put a little more money into the pockets of St. Louisans.According to some recent research by Michael C. Davis, associate professor of economics at Missouri S&T, and Christian End, a former member of the S&T faculty who now teaches at Xavier University in Ohio, a winning NFL team can have a statistically significant effect on a metro area's personal income. David Nicklaus of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discussed the research in a recent column.
From Nicklaus' column:
Taken to the extreme, Davis and End's theories could lead to "a new recipe for economic stimulus. If a city like Detroit needs help, should the Lions get an easier schedule for a few years? How about giving the Rams an extra draft pick when St. Louis loses an auto plant?"
The effect isn't huge, Davis admits. At most, a winning team could boost the average St. Louisan's income by $165. The result is still surprising, however, when you consider that winning or losing has little effect on the team's direct economic activity, such as player salaries and concession-stand sales. ...Oddly, the economic impact of other professional sports isn't as significant. The reason, Nicklaus speculates, may have to do with pro football's coinciding with the holiday shopping season. "Or perhaps it's just that, in a 16-game season, each football game has a make-or-break quality that's lacking in baseball and basketball contests."
Unfortunately, the Rams haven't produced any of those good vibes lately. For any optimists out there, the study does offer hope: Winning even a single game seems to boost per-capita income by about $30.
Taken to the extreme, Davis and End's theories could lead to "a new recipe for economic stimulus. If a city like Detroit needs help, should the Lions get an easier schedule for a few years? How about giving the Rams an extra draft pick when St. Louis loses an auto plant?"
On a more practical level, this research gives fans a new retort when your spouse tries to pry you away from the TV on Sunday afternoon: "I have to stay and watch, honey. Our economic future is at stake."Meanwhile, Rams head coach Scott Linehan's economic future may be at stake if the team doesn't win today. As the headline in today's Post-Dispatch sums it up, it's fourth and long for the coach.
