Final answer:
The positives of the Toronto Blue Jays playing in Buffalo during a pandemic include increased local business revenue and morale. However, there are negatives like health risks and strain on healthcare resources, and economically, it could reallocate entertainment spending, leading to a potential decrease in overall local economic growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the potential positives and negatives of the Toronto Blue Jays playing games in Buffalo during a pandemic. The positives include increased revenue for Buffalo businesses, as well as a boost in local morale and entertainment options for residents. However, there are significant negatives, including the health risks associated with travel and gatherings during a pandemic, which could lead to increased transmission of diseases, and the potential strain on local healthcare resources if there is a surge in cases.
Discussing the economic impact, Siegfried and Zimbalist suggest that because people have a fixed budget for entertainment, attending sports events might reduce spending in other local entertainment areas. This could potentially cause the local economy to shrink rather than grow, as the multiplier is lower for professional sports. Such a shift in spending could also question the overall economic development strategies that rely on sports as a growth catalyst.