Journal of Sport Behavior

Unveiling the Aftermath:

Katie M Brown, Sarah M Brown, W. Eric Brown, Natasha T Brison, Andrew C Pickett — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

This study explores the reasons behind unwavering support for a team by sports fans, using Bandura's theory of moral disengagement. It specifically examines fan identity in the context of a major university scandal. Data was collected from 125 participants to gauge their response to the scandal and analyzed using regression methods. The study uncovers the differences in perceptions and coping strategies towards universities affected by major scandals and provides insights on how fan loyalty can mitigate the impact of such scandals on universities and their athletic organizations.

Perceptions of Male and Female Athletes:

Beth Dietz — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Prior research examining perceptions of male and female athletes shows that male athletes tend to receive more favorable evaluations than female athletes. It is not clear if these evaluations are universal, or if individual differences moderate the effect. We tested the hypothesis that an individual-difference variable, namely, level of sexism, moderates the relationship between sex of sport and evaluations of the athlete. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess their perceptions of NBA and WNBA athletes. The results showed that WNBA players are viewed less favorably than NBA players on quantitative evaluations. Qualitative descriptions of WNBA players tended to focus on their personalities or motivations, while NBA players were described in terms of their athletic accomplishments. Importantly, analyses suggest that differences in perceptions of male and female athletes are moderated by level of sexism, with those holding more sexist beliefs evaluating female athletes less favorably than male athletes. The results are discussed in terms of identifying ways to increase the quantity and quality of coverage of sports played by females and the consequent impact on the favorability of perceptions.

Differences in Mental Toughness Among College Students of Varied Athletic Achievement and Experience

Mick Mack — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Abstract: This study examined potential differences in mental toughness (MT) among male and female college students with varied athletic achievement (e.g., participation level, playing status, awards earned) and sporting experience. Participants were 279 male and female college students. A short questionnaire was used to collect demographic and interscholastic sport experience and achievement data, and MT was assessed with the MeBTough (Mack & Ragan, 2008). Significant differences in MT were found based on level of interscholastic sport participation, with higher level athletes displaying higher MT. A significant effect was found for playing status with high school starters having 19.7% higher MT than non-sport participants. Male college athletes had higher MT than female athletes. Significant differences were found between high school athletes with and without honors, athletes with honors had higher MT. The effect for number of high school sports played was significant with more sport experience athletes displaying higher MT. We concluded that MT was positively associated with both athletic achievement and sporting experience, and there were occasional gender differences. Suggestions were made to consciously develop MT in athletes at all competitive levels, to promote multiple sport engagement during the formative years as a way to enhance MT, and to be aware of potential gender differences relative to MT.

Front office fandom:

Michael Mudrick — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Sport fans have long demonstrated that their loyalties can be a product of attachment to various entities related to a team. When evaluating team personnel, players and coaches command the most attention, given their role in executing the core product. However, it is reasonable to suggest that sport executives (i.e., general manager) have developed a degree of star power in recent years. In a survey of 276 NBA fans from 29 different teams, multiple regression analyses revealed that a front office executive’s perceived psychographic fit with their fan base was significantly related to attachment to the executive, which then predicted a fan’s intent to support the team. Team identification also moderated the relationship between perceived psychographic fit with the fan base and attachment to that executive. Results yield practical implications related to the star power of team executives, while also illustrating the value of utilizing group identification tactics in marketing.

Doing My Part:

Daniel Wann, Frederick G. Grieve, Ted B. Peetz, Ryan K. Zapalac — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Sport fans believe they have the ability to influence the outcome of sporting events, and research suggests that they can do so. The current study examined seven methods through which fans regularly attempt to influence sporting events: positive verbalizations, positive behaviors, negative verbalizations, negative behaviors, instrumental verbal aggression, superstitious behaviors, and prayer. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing the extent to which they utilized these methods during their favorite sport team’s games, as well as several measures assessing sport fan characteristics (e.g., team identification and fan dysfunction). The results indicated that the most commonly utilized methods of influence were positive verbalizations and positive behaviors, while the least commonly used was negative behaviors. Additionally, all methods of influence were positively correlated, suggesting that they tend to be complimentary rather than contradictory. Finally, a series of regression analyses indicated that team identification and fan dysfunction positively predicted each method of influence. Discussion includes motivations for attempts to influence as well as implications for sport marketing and management.