What message is the NBA sending to fans?
The outrage felt by the home fans when the Indiana Pacers’ Ron Artest fouled the Detroit Pistons’ Ben Wallace hard is certainly understandable, said Edward R. Hirt, an associate professor of psychology at Indiana University Bloomington. To no surprise, the fans came to their player’s defense much like player’s teammates did. “However, what is interesting is the league’s reaction to the players’ retaliation. I’m not sure what message they’re sending to fans if their instigation and provocation can essentially knock out the best players on the opposing team for half or all of the season.” Hirt is particularly interested in the feelings and behavior of sports fans. His research has focused on the reasons fans have such profound allegiances to various teams and players and what they derive from this association. Hirt can be reached at 812-855-4815 and ehirt@indiana.edu. Research into fan behavior, fan influence on players and player influence on fans suggests that players are not significa
