The relative influence of spectator dysfunctional behavior on spectator enjoyment in Major League Baseball
International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship
ISSN: 1464-6668
Article publication date: 25 May 2021
Issue publication date: 11 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived enjoyment that is derived from spectators observing other spectators’ dysfunctional behavior during a game.
Design/methodology/approach
Using four forms (i.e. fighting, verbal assault, disrupting play and throwing missiles) of spectators dysfunctional behavior (SDB), two experiments (N = 252 for Study 1 and N = 92 for Study 2) were conducted in which video clips corresponding to the four types of SDB were used as experimental stimuli.
Findings
The findings indicate that participants enjoyed viewing spectators running onto the field of play significantly more than the other forms of SDB (i.e. fighting, verbal assaults and throwing missiles). The results also show no significant difference between how much spectators enjoyed the actions of fighting, verbal assault and throwing missiles.
Originality/value
The novelty of this study include the usage of a multidimensional approach to the concept of SDB and testing for a positive outcome pertaining to SDB that has largely, if not fully, been examined using negative inputs and outputs.
Keywords
Citation
Pedersen, Z.P., Kim, K.(A)., Byon, K.K. and Williams, A.S. (2022), "The relative influence of spectator dysfunctional behavior on spectator enjoyment in Major League Baseball", International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 93-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-07-2020-0126
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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