Delight in Watching Sports

A Replication and an Examination of Moderator Effects in the Customer Delight and Satisfaction Model

Abstract

This study examined the psychological mechanism of delight by using the Customer Delight and Satisfaction Model (Oliver et al., 1997). Further, it explored the effect of delight and satisfaction on the repurchase behavior and positive word-of-mouth intentions of spectators at sporting events. The following results were obtained: (1) The effect of delight and satisfaction was dependent on the result of the game. (2) Positive/surprise emotions and disconfirmation were important antecedent factors for arousing delight. (3) Analyzing the transaction-specific and cumulative measures, sports teams must establish mutually complementary relationships between arousing delight, especially in the short term, and continuing cumulative satisfaction in the long term. (4) Increasing the spectators' involvement in and knowledge of their favorite sports team could stimulate the effect of delight on attendance and word-of-mouth intentions. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.