Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, & Related Industries
NAICS 711 performing arts and spectator sports: NFL media deals, Live Nation antitrust, Broadway economics, and venue trends.
Industry at a Glance
Sector-wide aggregates across all businesses classified under NAICS 711 (2017 classification frame). For specific sub-industries within this sector, see the individual reports below.
Industry Overview
Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries (NAICS 711) covers live theater and concert production, professional and amateur sports teams, promoters, agents, and independent performers. The NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL collectively generated over $40 billion in revenue in 2023, while Live Nation Entertainment promoted over 44,000 events globally and controls roughly 60% of major U.S. concert venue capacity through its Ticketmaster subsidiary. Broadway grossed $1.58 billion in the 2022-2023 season across 34 productions in New York's Theater District. The subsector's economics revolve around venue infrastructure, broadcast rights deals (the NFL's media contracts with ESPN/Disney, CBS, Fox, and NBC/Peacock total over $110 billion through 2033), and sponsorship. Regional performing arts ecosystems depend on philanthropic support and state arts council funding: the National Endowment for the Arts distributed $182 million in 2023, while organizations like the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago anchor nonprofit performing arts. Nashville, Austin, and Los Angeles remain hubs for live music production. Labor dynamics split between unionized technical and performer roles governed by IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, and Actors' Equity Association, and non-union venue operations.
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Industry Trends
The Department of Justice's 2024 antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster alleges monopolistic control over ticketing, venue management, and artist promotion, potentially restructuring how concert tickets are sold and priced industry-wide.
NFL, NBA, and MLB are expanding into legalized sports betting partnerships with operators like DraftKings and FanDuel, embedding in-game wagering into broadcast experiences and driving new venue-based sportsbook installations in states including Arizona and Ohio.
Dynamic pricing algorithms deployed by Ticketmaster and SeatGeek have become standard for concerts and sports, with platinum and surge pricing drawing consumer backlash (notably after Taylor Swift's Eras Tour presale) and prompting proposed federal legislation like the TICKET Act.
Nashville, Austin, and Las Vegas are competing for major venue construction, with Las Vegas securing the Oakland Athletics' relocation and a new $2 billion stadium, while Nashville builds a $2.1 billion domed stadium for the Tennessee Titans.
Broadway and regional theaters are restructuring production economics after the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes demonstrated labor's pricing power, with Actors' Equity Association negotiating higher minimums and streaming residuals that affect touring production budgets.
Available Reports
1 industry report available for purchase under Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, & Related Industries.
Specialty Reports Available on Request
11 specialty industriesavailable on request▾
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is NAICS 711? ▾
How do professional sports teams generate revenue? ▾
Why is the Live Nation/Ticketmaster antitrust case significant? ▾
How does Broadway's economics work? ▾
What role do unions play in live entertainment? ▾
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