Positive Externalities from Professional Football Clubs in the Metropolitan Rhine-Ruhr, Germany: Trickle-Down Effects Associated with Promotion and Relegation
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
see my attached report
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The study examines the association between the promotion and relegation of Bundesliga football clubs and the membership of non-professional sport clubs. The paper is based on trickle-down effect, which is essential when considering hosting sport events or for cities with professional sport clubs. The work is interesting and meaningful. An apparent gap in the literature has been identified and filled. However, as I see it, the authors could improve in describing how their paper contributes to sustainability literature.
Specific comments
Introduction: It is necessary to describe the objective of the project more clearly. This could also be included in the abstract. In addition, the authors should consider removing any explanation of the results from the introduction section [page 2, lines 52-54].
[Page 3, lines 107-108] Please adapt the citation Weed (2009) to the journal guidelines.
[Page 4, line 141] Data from 50 mid- to large-sized cities was retrieved. Can the authors explain the selection criteria for choosing those 50 cities? Why those 50 cities and not others?
[Page 4, line 154] “The average 154 unemployment rate of the host city is 9.27%”. However, in Table 1 the value appears to be 9.55. Please carefully check this discrepancy.
[Page 4, lines 156-157] “FC Cologne has the most frequent promotion and relegation; promoted twice and relegated twice”. Please check Table 1 and correct the data, if applicable.
[Page 9, line 292] There is a number referring to footnote no. 4. Please consider deleting the footnote or including the necessary information in the main text.
[Page 9, lines 319-321] This paragraph should be deleted.
Conclusions: suggestions for further research should be added to the conclusions.
[References] The authors should carefully review (1) the use of “others” in references. Please check the names of the authors of references; (2) the pages of references (eg. [10] and [12]); and (3) include the year in reference [31].
The work made by the authors is appreciated. I hope you find the comments useful.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
