...Chapter 3 THE CHALLENGES FACING PROFESSIONAL SPORTS The Financial Status of Professional Sports Growth of Professional Sports Major Leagues Minor Leagues State of Women’s Professional Sports Leagues Other Successful Sports Properties The Economic Reality of Professional Sports Team Financial Statements Controlling Player Costs National Football League National Basketball Association Major League Baseball National Hockey League European Soccer’s Path to Financial Health: UEFA’s Financial Fair Play Creative Accounting Roster Depreciation Allowance Franchise Appreciation Summary The Financial Status of Professional Sports Growth of Professional Sports Major Leagues The 1990s and early 2000s was a period of substantial growth for professional sports at all levels. The number of teams in the Big 4 major leagues grew from 103 franchises in 1989 to 122 franchises by 2001. During that time, the National Hockey League (NHL) added eight expansion teams, Major League Baseball (MLB) added four, the National Football League (NFL) added three, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) added five teams. In addition, several new leagues were launched in the 1990s with aspirations of becoming prominent national properties, most notably Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). By 2001, each of the Big 4 leagues had reached a saturation point, having established franchises in nearly every market capable...
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