Are Multiple Rivals Good for Society? Rivalry Dispersion Theory Analyzed Across Sport and Continents

Cobbs, Joe, Tyler, B. David, Star, Shaun ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0516-1394 and Krebs, Jonah (2026) Are Multiple Rivals Good for Society? Rivalry Dispersion Theory Analyzed Across Sport and Continents. Sport Marketing Quarterly. Fitness Information Technology . ISSN 1061-6934 (In Press) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/10616934261484567

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Is animosity toward rival fans generalizable across sporting and geographic contexts, and are such antisocial effects mitigated by multiple rivals? In Study 1, we replicate and extend a prior SMQ study by comparing animosity-related outcomes—prejudice, schadenfreude, disidentification, and behavioral discrimination—among fans ( N = 3,169) of professional teams in North America and the Indian Premier League (IPL). Results affirm significant contextual differences, with National Football League fans exhibiting higher animosity and IPL fans significantly lower animosity. In Study 2 ( N = 8,219), we introduce Rivalry Dispersion Theory , which is illustrated by findings that fans’ animosity toward the top rival is inversely associated with the number of perceived rivals and positively associated with variance in rivalry intensity. Importantly, fans’ identification and supportive behaviors are not strongly influenced by more rivals. Sport marketers can therefore consider mitigating the risk of antisocial effects by cultivating multiple rivalries without sacrificing fan support.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Arts and Humanities > Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Law and Legal Studies
Depositing User: Mr. Syed Anas Ali
Date Deposited: 07 Sep 2026 08:31
Last Modified: 07 Sep 2026 08:31
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/10616934261484567
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/12468

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item