Externalities of Violence: The Effects of National Hockey League Fighting on Youth Hockey Participation.

This article examines the external social costs of fighting in the National Hockey League (NHL) on youth hockey participation in the United States and Canada. Using an instrumental variables approach, the study finds that increased NHL fighting significantly reduces male youth hockey participation in the U.S., with no statistically significant effects observed in Canada or among female youth in either country. The decline in fighting correlates with potential gains of nearly 23,000 additional male youth players and an estimated $59.3 million annual economic benefit for U.S. youth hockey organizations and related businesses. The findings highlight that NHL fighting influences parental decisions about youth hockey involvement, particularly in the U.S., and suggest broader social and economic implications beyond professional hockey.