Spectator sport
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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A spectator sport is a sport that is characterized by the presence of spectators, or watchers, at its matches. For instance, ice hockey, basketball, baseball and football are spectator sports, while hunting or underwater hockey typically are not. Spectator sports may be professional sports or amateur sports. They often are distinguished from participant sports, which are more recreational; golf can be either.
Spectator sports require venues in which the fans may observe a game or event. Spectators can also take in events by watching or listening to broadcasts. The results of spectator sports are also reported on various news programs as well as in print. In addition to raw scores and highlights, these reports may also contain analysis.
Spectator sport terms
Birging: Basking in reflected glory. A technique by which a fan enhances his or her own self esteem by basking in the accomplishments of “their” team.
Corfing: Cutting off reflected failure. This is illustrated in how fans report the outcome of a game. If “their” team has won they will say “we won.” But if “their” team has lost they will say “they lost.”
In-group/out-group bias: the opportunity to categorize one’s self, and others by which team they cheer for.
