Journal of Sport Behavior

Exploring Sport Fan Experiences with Multiple Cases of Team Expansion and Relocation

Brett Parent — 2024-09-01

Abstract: Current sport consumer behavior research examines a fan’s experience with one team relocation or expansion at a time. However, this work is limited as many fans have experienced multiple relocations and expansions, exposing them to teams at various levels of play. To better understand how this experience impacts team identification development and maintenance and advance sport consumer behavior knowledge, we interviewed 12 hockey fans from Belleville, Ontario, Canada, as that region has had four cases of expansion and relocation since 1981. Participants suggested three ways their experiences impacted their fandom. First, geography, distinctiveness, and childhood exposure were motives to cheer for a newly established team, while existing team allegiances were barriers. Second, fans developed different points of attachment to an amateur team versus a professional minor league team, as well as points of detachment with minor league hockey. Lastly, they experienced six changes in perspectives towards teams, leagues, and hockey.

Keywords: sport fans; hockey; social identity theory; sport consumer behavior

Attitudes toward Aggressive and Violent Behaviors and the Role of Life Skills Among University Club Sport Athletes

Levone Lee — 2024-09-01

The twofold objective of this study was to examine the relationships between: (a) overall life skills and attitudes toward aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport; and (b) specific life skills and attitudes toward aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport. A sample of 84 university club sport athletes (Mage = 20.83, SD = 1.49) at a single mid-sized university in the United States completed an online survey. Data collection was conducted using the Life Skills Scale for Sport and Code of the Street scale (i.e., attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior). A series of 2-stage hierarchical multiple regression analyses, with attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior as the dependent variable, were performed for overall life skills and eight unique life skills. In stage one, gender and sport type served as covariates. In stage two, life skill(s) were added as the independent variable. Results indicate that overall life skills significantly and negatively predict athletes’ attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior outside of sport. Similarly, emotional skills, time management, problem solving, social skills, teamwork, leadership, each independently made a negative and significant contribution to attitudes toward aggressive and violent behavior outside of sport. However, goal setting and communication were not significant predictors. Considering the affinity between attitudes and behaviors, findings suggested that, for university club sport athletes, overall life skills and certain unique life skills may help inhibit aggressive and violent behaviors outside of sport. Such findings provides insight for administrators, coaches, and other stakeholders servicing the needs of university club sport athletes.

Digital Self-Harm and the Protective Role of Sports Participation

Chad Loes — 2024-09-01

A robust research base documents a range of positive outcomes associated with organized sports participation, including a reduced likelihood of self-harm. Despite this work, no research to date considers whether the protective effects of organized sports participation might extend to another aspect of self-harm: digital self-harm. Digital self-harm, or the anonymous posting of harmful information about oneself on the internet, is the focus of a small but growing number of studies. Guided by previous research and theory, I used data from the 2019 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey to investigate whether organized sports participation influences adolescents’ engagement in digital self-harm. The results from the analyses suggest that organized sports participation is negatively associated with digital self-harm, with one’s negative emotions attenuating a substantial portion of this influence. The findings from this study provide parents and other concerned parties with important information that may guide them in addressing this issue.

Sexual Prejudice, Traditional Masculinity Ideology, and Athletic Identity in College Students

Elizabeth Mullin — 2024-09-01

We examined current levels of sexual prejudice among US college athletes and non-athletes (N = 451), accounting for the impact of traditional masculinity ideology and exclusivity of athletic identity. While no significant multivariate gender x athlete status interaction was found on sexual prejudice, significant main effects occurred for both gender (p < .001, η_p² = .10) and athlete status (p = .28, η_p² = .04). Men reported significantly greater sexual prejudice than women and athletes reported significantly greater sexual prejudice than non-athletes. When controlling for traditional masculinity ideology, gender differences were eliminated (p = .11, η_p² = .01). Similarly, when controlling for athletic identity, significant differences between athletes and non-athletes were no longer present (p = .13, η_p² = .01).

Back in style: The impact of nostalgia on sport fans’ feelings toward team apparel

Zach Scola — 2024-09-01

Retro jerseys across many sports have grown increasingly popular in recent years and previous research has given credence to their use by sport organizations. Specifically, recent research has found the freshness and outdatedness of retro jerseys to impact consumer attitudes (Dwyer et al., 2020). With nostalgia at the core of retro merchandise, however, literature had yet to explore the role of specific aspects of nostalgia in consumer preferences toward sport retro jerseys. Therefore, the current study sought to assess the influence of nostalgia – and specifically its three dimensions personal, historical, and collective – on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions. An online sample of 434 participants were surveyed and results exhibited mixed findings, with the three dimensions of nostalgia varying in impact toward the outcomes of team attitude and purchase intentions. Also, examination of the role of age, income, and length of time as a fan were also explored with results exhibiting differences based upon consumer income and length of time as a fan. Although the results varied based on type of nostalgia and consumer outcome, it was clear that nostalgia plays a role in consumers’ feelings toward their favorite team’s merchandise. Further examination of the results are provided and suggestions for future research on the topic of sport retro apparel is discussed.