Sport Deviance and Promoter’s Interest in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State – Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines sport deviance and promoters’ interest in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria. Deviance in sport is basically seen as an anti-sporting behavior that is displayed in sport setting for which some uses to gain advantage over their competitors. One of the assumptions behind rising to stardom by all means in sport is that it attracts more sponsorship deals as no promoter would be drawn to a failure. But what is often not put in consideration is the negative consequences of what deviance portends on sport promotion. Two hypotheses were stated and tested to guide the research. Literature was reviewed based on these variables and the interest game theory was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The ex-post facto research design was adopted and a total of 400 respondents were purposefully chosen for the study although a total of 386 returned questionnaires were found suitable for analysis. The stated hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis and results show that there was a significant relationship between sport deviance and promoters’ interest. Based on the findings, it was recommended thus; sport violence perpetrators should be sanctioned as it will serve as deterrence to others. Outlawed drugs should be rehearsed to athletes at close intervals and drug test should be thorough enough to ensure no violator escape detection. These among other recommendations were reached.