Hiroshima is one city in Japan with a high level of sport spectatorship.　When cities with sport-related resources recognize the importance of building place attachment among local residents through sport teams as a community bonding resource, activities to attract more event attendees or local residents using their professional sport teams activities can be encouraged.　In addition, psychologically, local residents develop a strong bond with local sport teams based on their accumulated experiences.　Generally speaking, some findings confirm that team image is a critical factor leading to place attachment.　However, studies that verify these findings are lacking.　This study was conducted in two major professional sport settings:professional baseball and professional basketball.　First, data was collected from spectators attending a home game of the professional basketball team, the Hiroshima Dragonflies.　From the 330 questionnaires distributed, 292 usable questionnaires were collected, data for 248 respondents excluding 44 out-of-prefecture residents were used.　For the baseball sample, data was collected from spectators attending a professional baseball game at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium.　Questionnaires were distributed to individuals in the stadium at the end of the game.　From the 1,000 questionnaires distributed, 241 usable questionnaires were collected, data for 188 respondents excluding 53 out-of-prefecture residents were used.　Findings revealed that both teams showed place attachment affects the quality of team image.　For the Dragonflies, high and low team identification were shown to affect place attachment.　For the Carp, the interactions between team image and team identification significantly affected place attachment, with lower team identification increasing place attachment more than a positive team image.　The results suggest that improving team image may increase place attachment among spectators with low team identification.　From the standpoint of a regional sports team that claims to be community-based, there is a need for two-way direct and indirect exchanges that deepen ties through social contribution activities and other initiatives to connect with the community, as well as proactive acceptance of support and assistance activities from local residents.　In conclusion, （1） team image is related to place attachment, and （2） team identification may play a role as a moderating variable for enhancing place attachment due to unique team attributes.

JEL Classifications:L83, Z29, M31, R11, D91

This paper describes the public value of sports from the perspective of policy. In Section 1, the paper discusses the public nature of sports. Sports have been consumed as a symbol by the public, and government is exploiting sport to get support from the public. On the other hand, sport has the power to create the public sphere, as we see in the case of local sports. In Section 2 and 3, the paper introduces specific examples in policy fields which emphasize the public nature of sport. In order to establish “The Basic Act on Sport” and bid on international sport games such as the Rugby World Cup, Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and World Masters Game, core values of sport were discussed in Japan. “The Basic Act on Sport” is based on the philosophy that communities made by the sport should achieve the public role. International sport games are perceived as opportunities to create a new society. Under this condition, the role of academia in establishing the platform for deliberation is important.

Generally, the use of public funding for constructing stadiums and arenas is justified by the expected region-wide economic impact, or positive externalities and public-goods aspect of sports. However, it remains unclear whether these impacts or benefits are fully supported by academic evidence. This study, therefore, presents a systematic mapping review of literature to assess the impacts and benefits of sports facilities. Quasi-experiment studies published in peer-reviewed journals since 1997, presenting evaluations of the impact of sports facilities and professional sports teams as well as monetary assessments of their intangible benefits, were reviewed. A structured overview of 52 selected studies, conducted primarily in the United States, is provided. The review presents the scope and type of impact, outcome variables, methodological approaches, and main findings of these studies. The paper presents a series of implications for policymakers and researchers on sports facility management in Japan.