Brian Koonce: Viewing Sport as an Art

In Nietzsche's Dionysiac definition of art, experiencing sports event from the stands as a fan definitely falls under this category.  Dionysiac art is characterized by a loss of self; a completely sublime experience, as Schopenhaur would describe it; in which one has no control over their emotions.  Music and the performing arts often have the same effect on spectators; take concerts for instance.  Concert-goers, although often influenced by alcohol and other more hallucinogenic drugs, are seen dancing, swaying, even gyrating in an uncontrollable fashion.  At a sports event, especially in tense moments, the spectator is completely in the control of the outcome of the game; if the shot goes in, elation will overcome them and all others around them, and if it bangs off the rim, disappointment  and frustration will haunt them until the next season.