The growth and nancial status of professional sports in North America: insights for English soccer leagues?

An overview of the Žnancial status of professional sports leagues in North America is provided. It reveals that they face similar challenges to those confronting professional soccer teams in England: most teams report annual operating losses; costs, primarily attributed to players’ salaries, are accelerating at a level which outstrips the large growth in revenues that is also occurring; and the wealthiest teams tend to dominate competitions on the playing Želd. The North American leagues’ problems of falling attendance, declining ratings, and an economic disconnect with their fan base all contribute to the leagues’ declining Žnancial health. Strategies used by leagues to control player costs are described.