This book claims to provide the fullest picture of modern fan mayhem ever written. In the attempt to do so, it recounts episodes of fan violence dating back to ancient times on up to the present. Some of the worst examples, of course, fall into the category of hooliganism, thuggery, and vandalism. To get at what fuels the misbehavior and feeds common myths, the author, an investigative journalist for ESPN, speaks with security experts, law enforcement officials, professional athletes, and the very people whose behavior crosses the line.
Here’s an excerpt from Fanaticus:
“Social media lets fans turn up their nose at geography, connecting fan bases across time zones and even continents. Fans don’t need to go to the local sports bar to debate the merits of their favorite team’s next opponent. Instead, they can jump on Reddit conversations known as ‘trash talk threads.’ A fan’s computer or phone is like a sports bar that is always open, is always serving, and will never cut you off. But there’s a dark side; hostility can be anywhere and everywhere. It’s hard to figure out when to close out your tab and go home.”
