Why We Watch: Understanding Fans Infatuation with Violence in Sports

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explain why we, as fans, love to watch sports; specifically why we absorb the violence involved in these sports. When you look at Roman gladiators, football players, boxers, etc., they square off against an opponent in front of large crowds. Fans flock into arenas, often paying top dollar, to see these athletes physically beat up on each other. Fans love to see a linebacker deliver a bone crushing hit on the quarterback. The crowd goes wild when a boxer connects a vicious haymaker that knockouts their opponent. This research aims to answer why fans love this violence.