Subject Matter in ELP

My first interview lasted over an hour. This was because I was learning so much I didn’t want to stop and my interviewee wanted to share so much that he didn’t want to stop. Some things that I learned or found interesting in my interview and that I find valuable to this project are the reasons why people become/stay fans, violence in the actual competition, and the business side of athletics.

My interviewee, Chris, mentioned that the typical reasons people become fans are due to family members, friends, and location. The reasons they continue to be fans is because of the length of time and the amount of emotion invested. Chris discussed how the win/loss record is not really a factor in fans continuing to be fans which really surprised me. Chris also discussed violence in the competition itself and how there is no need for this. This is why sports have officials, and Chris’ point of view is if the officials are doing their job properly, then no violence should occur— but instead, people relate violence to certain sports, like hockey, since it often occurs. Also, football is a violent sport by nature, but due to the strenuous rules and severe penalties for fighting in football, it does not occur as often. It made me think of the fans of these two sports and how I associate more violent fans to hockey than to football and how this violence affects the audience of that sport.

Finally, Chris discussed the business side of sports and how that was originally his interest of study, but due to moral concerns, he had to get out. He discussed the hypocrisy that exists in athletic programs and more specifically, at UofL’s. He stated how the mission of the university is to promote education for its students at all costs but there is obviously a disconnect when they are scheduling conference football games during the week when students have class so they can get the money ESPN is willing to dish out for this recording. As Chris states, “It’s just not in the best interest of the educational needs of the students”. Chris sees the relationship between student athletes and the university as a symbiotic relationship of exploitation. They both are taking advantage of each other and exploiting the other. It was this hypocrisy that caused Chris to switch concentrations. I think these topics are very important and hope we can find a place for them in the play.