Articles in this issue:

  • Jackson Sears
    Philip Kang
    Yong Jae Ko
    and Joon Sung Lee

    The aim of the current research was to identify consumer needs that significantly influenced daily fantasy sports (DFS) consumption. Specifically, we sought to predict DFS participation intention and information search. Existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG) theory and self-determination theory (SDT) served as theoretical inspirations for need selection. Th e needs included were needs for autonomy, arousal, uniqueness, status, achievement, competence, and relatedness. The results of the current study indicate that autonomy and achievement needs are important for DFS consumers....Read more

  • Brandon Mastromartino
    Henry Wear
    Michael L. Naraine
    and Katherine R. N. Reifurth

    A recent cause-related marketing (CRM) trend for sport organizations has been to adopt a service dog that they will train and showcase through social media and at team events. This phenomenon is unique as these teams are utilizing the dog as a brand association but through a charitable lens in that they are providing resources to train the dog and giving exposure to a good cause. This study examines the consumer behavior implications, specifically brand image, perceived altruism, and purchase intentions, of sport organizations adopting service dogs. Through an experimental design, this...Read more

  • Shiro Yamaguchi and Masayuki Yoshida

    This study examines the influences of core product quality, service quality, social network quality, and event satisfaction on participant engagement using the conceptual framework of consumer experience quality and customer engagement theory in sport. The study surveyed 452 runners aft er they finished the Ako City Marathon. We divided the core product quality into event characteristics and physical changes and service quality into event staff and service environments. Participant engagement included prosocial behavior, management cooperation, and behavioral loyalty. The results revealed...Read more

  • Benjamin Larkin

    A growing amount of attention has been paid to the topic of dehumanization of professional athletes. Fantasy sport has been explored as a driver of this phenomenon, but empirical evidence has yet to be provided. This research explores the role of gambling—that is, whether fantasy participants were more driven by money or entertainment/escape—in this phenomenon. Results of SEM analysis indicated that fantasy football participation motivated by gambling was positively associated with dehumanization, while participation for the purpose of entertainment/escape was negatively related. Th is...Read more

  • Yuchen Shi
    Do Young Pyun
    and Argyro Elisavet Manoli

    While football in China is experiencing great enthusiasm from the broad masses due to the unprecedented promotion from the government, to encourage more youth participations in this sport has become an essential for Chinese football revitalization. Under this circumstance, the youth football training industry has been highly capitalized as both foreign and domestic youth football academies have sprung up. Guided by service quality literature, it can be argued that understanding what aspects influence player’s perceived service quality evaluation are necessary to be competitive to gain and...Read more

  • Daniel Monaghan and Daniel Read

    Sports teams have become global brands developing strongly identified ‘satellite’ fans who are distant from the team’s local market. There is a paucity of studies examining how satellite fans preemptively perceive the idea of a franchise being established in their local market. Using quantitative and qualitative survey data, the current study examines 597 UK-based, American National Football League fans’ team identification with current franchises and their attitudes toward a hypothetical new London-based franchise. The results of multiple linear regression, chi-square analysis, and...Read more