Fanatic consumer behavior: Athletics as a consumption experience

This research is an attempt to explore the effects of fanatic consumer behavior on the activities and resulting feeling states of consumers. Using a random national sample of triathletes, results demonstrate that extreme involvement with their sport affects many aspects of their lives, and produces both positive and negative feelings. A model, comprising motivations, resulting behaviors, and affective outcomes, is developed and validated. Finally, implications for future investigations of fanatic consumer behavior are provided.