Seven people died amid rioting in Detroit after the Detroit Pistons, playing in Portland, Ore., against the Trail Blazers, won the NBA championship in Game 5.
Fans’ emotional investment, whether the game is at home or away, leads to people's radical behavior, says Naylor.
“We know that most passionate fans identify with a certain team,” Naylor says. “Your emotions kind of go with your team quite a bit, and there’s a sense of investment – time, emotion, and money.”