Steroid suspicions dampen fans' enthusiasm

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Jan, 2008

Reveling in the wonder of a grand slam or jumping to the thrill of a touchdown is not as much fun when fans think players may have had pharmaceutical assistance, a MSN-Zogby poll shows. Some 58% say they enjoy watching sports less knowing that athletes might be using performance-enhancing drugs. This abuse is at the forefront of off-season sports discussions with the release of a 20-month investigation into steroid use in Major League Baseball.

Ninety-two percent of sports fans say they are aware of the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. Eighty-five percent assert that governing bodies and leagues should do whatever is necessary to rid sports of these drugs, including imposing lengthy suspensions and other forms of discipline for athletes caught using.

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However, some sports fans will not let this controversy stop them from getting into the game: 38% claim the possibility that athletes may be using does little to change how much they enjoy watching sports.