Fantastic Article on Fan Violence by NYC Attorney Nicholas R. Hector

Posted on April 23, 2012 by KSamoun

Great article on Fan Violence by Nicholas R. Hector. Nicholas is a NYC Corporate/Entertainment Attorney and entrepreneur with a love for and an extensive knowledge of sports law, sports media, and the unique relationship between public relations/image cultivation and the professional athlete.

This article was originally published on ThirdandFour, a sports blog co-founded by Nicholas Hector and Andrew H Fine. Nicholas has graciously allowed us to repost his article and given his support to FAV Please take a minute to visit their site.

Where the Regulation of Violence in Sports Will Inevitably Extend:The Stands & Outside the Stadium/Arena

The professional and college sports industries have without question reached milestones with respect to revenue generation over the past decade. Both the National Football League and the National Basketball Association experienced pre-season lockouts and subsequent consuming negotiation sessions with their respective players’ unions concerning profit sharing. In 2010, the NCAA signed a monumental $10.8 billion contract with CBS Corporation and Time Warner Inc.’s Turner Broadcasting for the media rights to its beloved Men’s Division I College Basketball Tournament, known by most as March Madness.

The University of Kentucky fans "celebrate" the Wildcats' Final Four win over Louisville to gain a spot in the National Title game.

It goes without saying that fans are the impetus behind such revenue growth. Whether a country and its citizens are facing a recession—even bankruptcy—or marvelous economic times, avid followers and fans of professional and college sports teams will pay hard-earned money for the pleasure drawn from watching talented athletes perform for up to three hours on the field, court or ice. Fans will do so by attending such events, watching them at bars/restaurants, or through the purchase of oversized, flat-screen televisions for home. David Levy, the President of Turner Sports, acknowledged in signing the March Madness media contract with the NCAA that “the tournament’s popularity and success [had outgrown] the ability for one network to provide all the coverage fans are looking for.” Similarly, CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus recognized, “the opportunity for viewers to watch whatever game they want to on up to four different networks has to result in more eyeballs, more gross rating points and more exposure for the tournament, thereby creating much more value for the advertisers.”

I think it’s awesome that fans of professional and college sports teams continue to use this source of entertainment as an escape from the struggles facing the lives of individuals on a daily basis in many countries around the globe, including financial turmoil, disease, death and general unhappiness. However, over the same decade that the sports industry has experienced rapid revenue growth and increased popularity, the fan experience at and following sporting events has become more violent, tragic and unpleasant. A problem clearly exists that neither the professional leagues, the NCAA Directors nor the athletes have sufficiently addressed, or are even equipped to address.

Indeed, the European professional soccer leagues have essentially condoned fan violence since their creation. The Philadelphia Eagles’ late Veterans Stadium maintained holding cells to accommodate unruly fans. These facts represent proof that the sports industry has accepted violence as part of the overall fan experience for quite some time. For instance, in 2004, Lakers forward Ron Artest—or as legal documents now refer to him, Metta World Peace—climbed into the stands as an Indiana Pacer at The Palace of Auburn hills to exchange punches with a few rambunctious fans. In 2010, I attended a New York Jets game in New York as an Atlanta Falcons fan and was threatened by four Jets fans following the Falcons’ last minute defeat of the Jets. Fortunately, violence never ensued, though not as a result of action taken by stadium security. In 2011, a San Francisco Giants fan experienced the wrath of Dodger Stadium when several Dodger fans beat him almost to the point of death. And just a few weeks ago, University of Kentucky basketball fans nearly burned down and destroyed Lexington, KY, following the Wildcats’ Final Four win over state rival Louisville to gain a spot in the National Title game.

However, what has either been condoned or overlooked by these leagues and the NCAA will inevitably draw a divide between fans, compelling those who are visiting the home stadium or establishment (e.g., sports bar) of an opposing team to discontinue their participation. This decreased fan participation and interest will inevitably compel revenue to decline for the professional sports leagues, the NCAA, media outlets and corporate partners and sponsors. Should violence and unpleasant behavior by fans persist at or following sporting events, how could it not have a domino impact on the sports industry?

So, where should we as fans and professionals in the industry place blame and seek assistance in preventing this evolving problem? First and foremost, responsibility should be placed on the individuals who are involved in such inappropriate behavior. Fans have progressively turned their allegiance to sports teams into something personal. However, sustaining a loss through a favorite team is not analogous to losing a love one. Fans must realize that their personal lives will continue unscathed, so long as they categorize sporting events as entertainment and nothing more. This point allows me to transition to my second and final position. The professional sports leagues, the NCAA, the athletes, the media outlets and the corporate partners and sponsors must take on the responsibility of reminding fans of this fact. Indeed, most professional sporting venues stop serving alcohol at a certain point during team play. College venues refuse to serve alcohol altogether. Great, by taking alcohol out of the picture, these entities and individuals have indirectly implied to the fans that they should behave responsibly. However, I’m asking—maybe even pleading to—these same entities and individuals to make a direct and blatant statement to the fans: “Stop the violence and inappropriate behavior!” The NFL has already done so much to prevent violence on the field in an effort to protect its brand and revenue stream. Take the next step and prevent it from occurring in the stands and outside the stadium.

Hey guys, it’s your money, not mine, that’s being placed on the line.

A Proposed California Bill Banning Violent Fans from Sporting Events, Fails to Pass

Posted on April 18, 2012 by KSamoun

The Bill, known as the “Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act,” failed to pass the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, April 17. The main provision of the bill would create a statewide “Ban List” of fans convicted of violent offenses at California professional sports arenas.

Among Assembly Committees concern’s on the proposed bill were the criminal enhancements (additional time to serve), the constitutionality of the bill, fear of further violence from releasing personal information of convicted fans to the public, and budgets concerns arising from creating a new program within the Department of Justice.

While this is definitely a setback, the bill is not dead. According Assemblyman Mike Gattos’ staff, they will be working this week with the Assembly Committee staff and Chair to amend the bill. They have hopes of resubmitting the bill for consideration next Tuesday April 24th.

Although, the bills main provision is the proposed “Ban List”, it also comes with some other very interesting provisions. The bill would require all professional venues post, in visible areas, the venues security telephone and text messaging numbers. It would also require a verbal announcement of the signage locations:

Once per quarter for a football game.
Four times per game for a baseball game.
Once per period for a hockey game.
At least three times for any other professional sporting event.

Another provision to the bill is the “Stadium Violence Reward Fund.” This provision would require each professional team to contribute $10,000 annually (until $180,000 is acquired) into a fund administered by the Department of Justice. The purpose of fund is to provide a reward to the general public who assist in the apprehension of persons committing violent acts at professional venues.

With the growing number of violent acts at sporting events nationwide, we believe this bill is a step in the right direction.

Click Here to view the entire Bill
Click Here to view the Assembly Committee Analyses

California Legislation Would Ban Violent Fans from Sporting Events

Posted on March 14, 2012 by kcdermody

While the state of California is known for sometimes creating unnecessary laws, a bill currently proposed in the California State Assembly makes sense, and may set a precedence for other states to follow suit. If the legislation passes, the Golden State would be the first to create a “Ban List” that would “prohibit violent fans from attending professional sports events anywhere in the state for up to five years under newly proposed legislation.

The Sacramento Bee reported that the ban would only apply to those convicted of felonies such as assault, and it would not include less serious crimes, such as abusive heckling and throwing beer.

The proposed law comes as a result of several rather horrific violent incidents that have occurred at sporting events across the nation recently. A year ago this month, San Francisco Giants’ fan Bryan Stowe became a victim of violence after he was beaten senseless following a Los Angeles Dodgers game. During a preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders in August, there were several shootings in the parking lot and others acts of violence inside the stadium.

Just before Christmas, a New York Jets fan was savagely beaten in the parking lot after the game by a group of Kansas City Chiefs fans, and in January while two San Francisco 49ers fans were cheering on their team at an Applebee’s restaurant in Georgia, they were shot at in the parking lot as they left the building. A man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in the incident.

The legislation will not have an affect on the average fan attending a sporting event, but if it does pass, I hope that it will make a difference in the record amount of violence we’ve been seeing.

Vicious Attack on NY Jets Fan: Yet Another Senseless Act of Fan Violence in 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by kcdermody

A 23-year-old P.E. teacher became yet another victim of a vicious attack after a sporting event. After the game between the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, December 11, James Mohr, a die-hard Jets fan was jumped and brutally beaten by seven men, with at least one wearing a Chiefs’ jersey. Prior to the violent attack, the group of thugs was said to be drunk and upset after their team lost to New York. Mohr was walking through the parking lot at the stadium, when one of the attackers shouted, “F**k New York,” and “You all deserved what happened on 9/11!”

James Mohr - Before and after brutal attack

Mohr’s sister, Anna, said her brother took offense, especially to the 9/11 reference as their other brother is a fireman, and their father is a retired FDNY. She remarked, “He was shocked anyone would actually say something like that.”

The end result was the savage and senseless beating to Mohr. The lifelong Jets fan suffered a fractured jaw, cheekbone and eye socket in the beatdown, and also has bleeding on the brain. The victim has gone through hours of surgery to repair his shattered face and is said to be just barely hanging on.

Unfortunately, acts of violence seem to be occurring more frequently, and though football can be a dangerous game for the players on the field, the parking lot at stadiums is becoming a far more dangerous place for fans.

In March, a San Francisco Giants fan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was beaten so badly he suffered serious brain damage when his skull was fractured. He was in a coma for months and has only recently been able to move just slightly.

During the preseason game between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, there were several shootings that took place, and during the game, a 26-year old man was beaten in the Candlestick Park bathroom.

While I’m not certain what the best solution to the problem is, but the banning of alcohol may eventually have to become a reality at sporting events. Angry and disappointed fans and alcohol are just not a good mix, and though it would be sad to have to punish everyone for the few who become violent criminals, is it worth even just one fan’s life to continue to make it readily available?

One Year Later: A Raider Fan Recounts the Events of Her Brutal Attack

Posted on November 12, 2011 by SusanManuel

I didn’t go to the Chargers vs. Raider game this year in San Diego. The pain is still there. I knew it would bring up a flood of emotions and I am not sure, even a year later that I am ready for it. Even writing this now, is a struggle. But I want people to be aware.

I went last year with a friend who used to play for the Chargers. He was involved in alumni and special appearance functions. I was busy picking up some tickets for some of his crew and trying to get to the stadium to deliver them.

It was December 5th, and the traffic into the stadium was horrid. I was just sitting on the freeway, stuck, with the guys calling wanting to know where their tickets were. Finally I decided to get off at the next exit park and walk in. I knew it would be faster than trying to park inside.

I followed a few other vehicle with the same idea and we parked in an empty office parking lot. I paid attention to my surroundings, making sure I could find my way back to the truck after the game. I got the tickets to the guys at the gate, got to my seat, and enjoyed the game. It was a wonderful win. The Charger fans were cordial, and I was careful not to get too out of hand with my celebrating or comments.

Everyone filed quickly from the stadium, but I was so proud of our team, I had to stand over the tunnel and make sure the last Raider player, coach and staff had left the field, and had been appropriately “hurrah’d.”

Cell phone reception was iffy inside the stadium, but after the game, my friend was able to get through to me and let me know his friends would take him back to the hotel where I was staying.

I headed out to where I had parked his truck, walking with other people from the game–a mix of both Raider and Charger fans. And I felt nothing threatening.

I was only a block or two from getting back to my friend’s truck and all the people I was walking with at that point headed in different directions. I turned down the when two guys in hoodies stepped out of a brushy area where the sidewalk narrowed. I was careful to move to the far right side and noticed that they just had generic clothing on. They weren’t Charger fans. And they weren’t Raider fans.

Just as we were closely passing on the sidewalk the first blow came. Directly to my eye and blow after blow from the both of them continued to pummel my face and head. They pounded me.

Susan Manuel after being Brutally attacked

Susan Manuel 3 days after being brutally attacked

I could hear men run up and chase them, and what felt like a large woman grabbed me and comforted me.

It was at that point I realized my vision was gone. I could not see and at best any vision I could get was a blurred, triple vision.

They took my trademark fedora, they took a bracelet I was wearing, and they took my “2010 Season Ticket Holder” mini Raider backpack.

The backpack contained chap stick, gloves, an old digital camera, and sunglasses.Luckily my cell phone was zipped in my left Raider jacket pocket, and the keys to the truck were zipped in the right pocket. My cash and ID were zipped in a small secluded pocket.

They never said anything to me. Never asked for money. Never called me names. But it was clear, they meant to take my vision in the first blow.

The police asked me what they had on their hand when they hit me. I never saw the punch coming as they were too close and passing me at the same time.

The doctors asked the same thing. What weapon did they have? The damage to my eye was deep and extensive. I was sent to XRay, as they were sure my orbital and facial bones were fractured. I also had a concussion. Because they were not able to knock me down, the damage was contained to my head and face.

I was out of work for a month until I was able to regain some of my vision. There were of course repeated doctor visits to various specialists. But what was worse was hearing from other people…

Why didn’t you fall down and play dead? (Uh, because they would have kicked my ribs in and killed me). Why didn’t you have pepper spray? (Uh, because even if I had it–there would have not been enough time to get it out and use it). And yes, even one “helpful” person said you should have been carrying a gun. (And you really think I would have gotten into the game packing a gun, and again, there would have been not time to get it out and use it). And, then there was a person who said God must have been mad at me to allow this to happen to me.

A year later, I still have vision problems when I look up, down or to the side. it has taken time for me not to panic when I am alone, or when I am in a crowd.

And what did I learn?

-On game days, stay buddied up–no matter what.
-Do not carry anything of value in a bag or purse.
-Keep anything of value on your body. -Park in a controlled stadium parking lot.
-Even go to the bathroom or to concession stands in pairs. -Be constantly aware of appearances. (I was more focused on what the assailants were wearing than what their face looked like).
-Realize it doesn’t have to be a fan of the opposing team who assaults you. It can be anyone.
(The police determined they guys were not affiliated with either team, and were probably not even at the game).

Stabbing Outside Charger-Raider Game: Fan Rivalry Taken to the Extreme

Posted on November 12, 2011 by RaiderKat

Wednesday morning, after taking my daughter to school, I came home, made coffee and signed onto Facebook to see what was going on with all of my friends and family. A number of my friends were preparing to make the trek from the Bay Area to San Diego for the Chargers-Raiders game. You could feel the excitement everywhere! The San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders game is typically one of the most exciting games of the season, but for a brief moment, I felt concern for my friends rather than excitement.

Very shortly after the formation of Fans Against Violence I was shocked to learn that one of my friends, Susan had been brutally attacked following the Chargers-Raiders game in San Diego last year leaving her with severe injuries including losing her vision for a month. Naturally, knowing my friends were attending this years game left me worried. I messaged my friends and asked them all to please stay safe, make sure they stayed, at the very least, paired up and not to wander anywhere alone.

This morning I woke up to the news of a 25yo man having been stabbed in the parking lot following the game. Although the identity of this man and has not been released, most of the reports I have read insinuated it was again a “Raider Fan” issue. My first thought upon hearing the news was “not again!”. My second thought was that of anger towards the media for again, in their subtle way, pointing the finger at the Raider fans. I decided I should take a breath and investigate a little further.

What I found out came as a huge surprise to me. I called a few of my friends and spoke with some fans that were actually at the game to find out what their experience was like. Everyone I spoke with said basically the same thing. They had a great time and had no problems, all of the Charger fans they encountered were welcoming and friendly, aside from the friendly bantering that always goes on between fan bases. Patty Mejia, who is an Oakland Raider fan, attended the game with her friend who happens to be a Charger fan had this to say:

I actually went with a Charger fan, and we were at the Black Sunday tailgate party with my cousin. He had a Raider Hater shirt on, they threw a “Black Sunday” sticker on his back and then fed him bbq and gave him a beer. He was in sea of black and not one person said anything to him, at least not on a serious note. We all had a great time. I was proud of everyone.

So what exactly came as such a surprise to me? I’d like to think, when it comes to acts of violence, I remain pretty unbiased. What I realized was, after hearing about Susan’s attack, I was putting that on the entire Chargers fan base. How different was this than what the media has consistently done with Raider Fans? Answer: It is no different.

Coming to this realization made me wonder should the media take responsibility when vilifying an entire fan base? Does this type of reporting contribute to the possibility of volatile situations between fan bases? If you go into a situation being told you should be in fear for your safety, does it make you more careful, put you more on edge? I can only answer for myself when I say yes to all the above. This type of stereotyping and finger pointing by the media seems to do no more than fuel the fire. What ever happened to responsible, non-biased reporting?

The truth of it is, Susan’s attack, the shootings at the 49er-Raider game, the Bryan Stow attack, the stabbing at the Chargers game and most incidents of Fan Violence at sporting events are isolated incidents, not the “norm”. Most sports fans are not there “looking for trouble”. Most are there to enjoy the game, support their team and have fun with friends and family.

As far as the stabbing goes, was this stabbing “seemingly unrelated to the sports rivalry” as the interviewing officer reported? I really cannot say. Who was at fault? Not something any of us can really answer. We can all speculate but the only thing I can say for sure is that it is unacceptable and inexcusable. No sport, No rivalry, No argument is worth taking to the level where someones life is in danger..EVER!

To read more about Susan and here incredible story please view her recent post here One Year Later: A Raider Fan Recounts the Events of Her Brutal Attack.

Road to Recovery:Doctors Announce Bryan Stows Transfer to Rehab

Posted on October 11, 2011 by FAV

Although the road to recovery is far from over for San Francisco Giants Fan, Bryan Stow, today he has taken a step closer. It has been seven months since the brutal attack on Bryan Stow in the parking lot of the Los Angeles Dodgers home opener after the game. Having suffered severe brain injury the outlook looked grim.

Today his outlook seems a little brighter. In a press conference this afternoon, Stow’s Doctors announced that he has been released from San Francisco General to an undisclosed rehabilitation center. Although the lasting effects on Bryan Stow as a result of the attack are still unknown, his family has reported that he is now speaking in full sentences and is moving his limbs.

As always our thoughts and prayers are with Bryan and his family. We are so happy to hear he is making progress. Please take a moment to visit the Bryan Stow Donation page we have established on FAV and give what you can to help this family in need. All proceeds from this page go directly to the Stow family.

Candlestick Park – Post Game Fight and a Concealed Handgun

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Julie

Jed York and the San Francisco 49ers have had another violent incident occur under their watch at Candlestick Park. Following the 49ers overtime loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, September 18th, the police were called to the site of a fight in one of the parking lots just outside the stadium.

Three men were attempting to leave the parking lot while the victim was standing behind their car. Some sort of argument broke out and the men got out of the car and began to attack the victim. The victim’s friend came to his aid was then hit in the head, as was the uniformed security officer who also tried to help. The most substantial injuries were the result of blunt force trauma to the head caused by a bottle and flashlight.

What’s even more disturbing is the concealed handgun found in the perpetrators car. No indication regarding team affiliation for any of the parties has been released; and honestly, it doesn’t matter.

: Parking Lot Map of Candlestick Park, SF

The post game violence at Candlestick when the 49ers hosted the Oakland Raiders made National news and caused officials from the NFL office to tour the facility and talk with the 49ers Administration. One of the specific issues discussed was the concern about security in the outer parking lots. If York and his staff do not take immediate and, if needed, extreme measures to ensure adequate policing of the surrounding lots, the San Francisco 49ers should be sanctioned by the league.

What changes were made? How have they improved policing of the lots? Is there surveillance? Why would a security guard report alone, without a partner? Roger Goodell and the league office need to sit down with the 49ers and devise a plan to make immediate corrections and hold the franchise accountable. Their fans deserve better.