Sports Spectators

In his previous books Allen Guttmann has provided incisive perspectives on Avery Brundage's role in the Olympic movement and on the nature of modern sports. Now, in his latest book, the accomplished historian of sport turns his attention from the playing field to the grandstand. Sports Spectators, the first historical study of the subject from antiquity to today, is at once erudite and entertaining; comprehensive and succint. Guttmann first examines the history of sports spectators, starting with Ancient Greece and Rome. He then moves on to the Renaissance and traces three early sports -the tournament, archery, and early versions of football. The author then focuses on the emergenece of sports in post-Renaissance England, and discusses the curious spectacle of animal sports (bear- and bull-baiting and cockfighting), as well as the first appearance of combat sports such as sword fighting, stick fighting, and boxing. The book concludes its historical view by exploring contemporary baseball, football, rowing, tennis, and golf. From his chronological narrative, Guttmann shifts to detailed analysis of the economic, sociological, and psychological aspects of sports spectatorship. Who were, and are, sports spectators? What is their gender and social class? Have they normally been participants as well as fans? What are the political functions of sports-watching? What are the social dynamics of spectatorship? Guttmann provides fresh insights which will be useful to scholars and fascinating to everyone. Sports Spectators also looks at the dramatic transformations radio and television have made, and offers an incisive critique of today's sports-related violence, including the increasingly frequent incidences of spectator hooliganism. How violent (or peaceful) have spectators traditionally been? Has spectator violence increased or decreased? You needn't be a season ticket-holder to enjoy Sports Spectators. Allen Guttmann makes the history of fandom come alive for any reader interested in Western culture and what forms of entertainment reveal about us, as well as those concerned with the recent growth of spectator violence.

Sports, and the fans that follow them, are everywhere. Sport Fans: The Psychology and Social Impact of Fandom examines the affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions of fans to better comprehend how sport impacts individual fans and society as a whole. Using up-to-date research and theory from multiple disciplines including psychology, sociology, marketing, history, and religious studies, this textbook provides a deeper understanding of topics such as: the pervasiveness of sport fandom in society common demographic and personality characteristics of fans how fandom can provide a sense of belonging, of uniqueness, and of meaning in life the process of becoming a sport fan sport fan consumption and the future of sport and the fan experience. The text also provides a detailed investigation of the darker side of sport fandom, including fan aggression, as well as a critical look at the positive value of fandom for individuals and society. Sport Fans expertly combines a rigorous level of empirical research and theory in an engaging, accessible format, making this text the essential resource on sport fan behavior.

In his previous books Allen Guttmann has provided incisive perspectives on Avery Brundage's role in the Olympic movement and on the nature of modern sports. Now, in his latest book, the accomplished historian of sport turns his attention from the playing field to the grandstand. Sports Spectators, the first historical study of the subject from antiquity to today, is at once erudite and entertaining; comprehensive and succint. Guttmann first examines the history of sports spectators, starting with Ancient Greece and Rome. He then moves on to the Renaissance and traces three early sports -the tournament, archery, and early versions of football. The author then focuses on the emergenece of sports in post-Renaissance England, and discusses the curious spectacle of animal sports (bear- and bull-baiting and cockfighting), as well as the first appearance of combat sports such as sword fighting, stick fighting, and boxing. The book concludes its historical view by exploring contemporary baseball, football, rowing, tennis, and golf. From his chronological narrative, Guttmann shifts to detailed analysis of the economic, sociological, and psychological aspects of sports spectatorship. Who were, and are, sports spectators? What is their gender and social class? Have they normally been participants as well as fans? What are the political functions of sports-watching? What are the social dynamics of spectatorship? Guttmann provides fresh insights which will be useful to scholars and fascinating to everyone. Sports Spectators also looks at the dramatic transformations radio and television have made, and offers an incisive critique of today's sports-related violence, including the increasingly frequent incidences of spectator hooliganism. How violent (or peaceful) have spectators traditionally been? Has spectator violence increased or decreased? You needn't be a season ticket-holder to enjoy Sports Spectators. Allen Guttmann makes the history of fandom come alive for any reader interested in Western culture and what forms of entertainment reveal about us, as well as those concerned with the recent growth of spectator violence.

Welcome to the world of sports marketing, where the intersection of athleticism, business acumen, and digital innovation unfolds. In this book, we embark on an intellectual journey that dissects the intricate domain of sports marketing, navigating through essential basics, exploring the strategic use of social media, and delving into the fascinating realm of advertising in and through sports. Chapter 1 sets the stage by offering the foundational knowledge required to grasp the multifaceted nature of sports marketing. From understanding the institutional view of sport and its demand to distinguishing between marketing in sport and marketing through sport, this section lays the groundwork for our exploration. We examine the relationship between advertising and sports, conceptualize sport as a product in marketing, and delve into the role of athletes as key figures in sports marketing. Along the way, we uncover the power of sports celebrities in marketing communication and explore the intricate world of sports consumers. This section takes a dive into sports venues as advertising media, shedding light on their impact and effectiveness. It also discusses how sport events can be used to connect with target audiences, increase brand awareness and boost sales, as sport events present a significant marketing opportunity for businesses and organizations. It discusses a range of strategies and practices for marketing sport events within the framework of event planning and marketing communications. Advertising in and through sport is another important area of sports marketing since sport offers a powerful platform for advertising. Sport events, athletes and sports teams can be an effective way to reach a wide audience. In this context, the book discusses the basics of advertising in and through sport. Chapter 2 turns our attention to the dynamic realm of social media in sports marketing. In an era where digital connectivity reigns supreme, the strategic use of social media is a game-changer. We scrutinize the risks involved in leveraging social media in sports marketing and delve into strategic approaches. This includes an exploration of academic studies on strategic social media use, the concept of relationship marketing in sports, and the art of sports relationship marketing through social media. Social media is becoming an increasingly important tool for sports marketing. It offers a powerful platform that businesses and organizations can use to connect with their target audiences, increase brand awareness and drive sales. This book aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how social media can be used for sports marketing, covering topics such as developing a social media strategy, content creation and social media analytics. This book is designed to cater to a diverse audience. Scholars in the field of communication and media will find rich insights into the evolving dynamics of sports marketing. Professional marketers will discover practical strategies for harnessing the power of social media in their campaigns, while students passionate about sports marketing and advertising will find a comprehensive foundation for their future endeavors. May this book serve as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration as you navigate the dynamic and thrilling world of sports marketing.

Why do women follow sports? What can female fandom tell us about gender relations in sport? This book explores these questions by bringing together the varied strands of research being conducted internationally across the social sciences and humanities on this emerging and topical field.

This book analyses women as spectators at men’s association football (soccer) in Britain from 1863 to 1939. The author shows that women have always been present at men’s football in Britain, a fact not always acknowledged in modern popular accounts of the game, albeit as a small minority in overall attendances. Some women have always been ‘authentic’ fans of football, both knowledgeable and enthusiastic in their support, and this book will demonstrate that.

Though Americans spend more than $25 billion a year on sports and sporting events, this book argues that the influence of sports on our lives is even more profound than this huge figure would seem to suggest. Exploring such topics as the role of sports in the creation of mass culture, cheating, the abuse of illegal drugs, the strange and fascinating role that numbers play in sporting events, and the future of spectator sport, this book surveys the outsized impact that sports have on American culture. The author draws from new work in such fields as history, economics, politics, sociology, psychology, and ethics to support his claims. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Now in a fully revised and updated 5th edition, Sports Marketing: A Strategic Perspective is the most authoritative, comprehensive and engaging introduction to sports marketing currently available. It is the only introductory textbook to adopt a strategic approach, explaining clearly how every element of the marketing process should be designed and managed, from goal-setting and planning to implementation and control. Covering all the key topics in the sports marketing curriculum, including consumer behavior, market research, promotions, products, pricing, sponsorship, business ethics, technology and e-marketing, the book introduces core theory and concepts, explains best practice, and surveys the rapidly-changing, international sports business environment. Every chapter contains extensive real-world case studies and biographies of key industry figures and challenging review exercises which encourage the reader to reflect critically on their own knowledge and professional practice. The book’s companion website offers additional resources for instructors and students, including an instructors' guide, test bank, presentation slides and useful weblinks. Sports Marketing: A Strategic Perspective is an essential foundation for any sports marketing or sports business course, and an invaluable reference for any sports marketing practitioner looking to improve their professional practice.