The virtual kind, that is. In order for ejected NFL fans to attend another game, they must now complete a four-hour online “fan conduct tutorial” developed by Ari Novick, a psychotherapist from California. These sessions, found on fanconductclass.com, aren’t cheap: some teams, like the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions, are charging $55, while the New England Patriots charge $100. “If you can afford a ticket to an NFL game,” says Novick, “you can afford to take this class.” Proceeds above $55 are donated to charity: the Patriots, for example, give $45 of every payment to the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers.
On a final exam, you need to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to pass. Yes, enforcement of this policy may prove challenging. While season-ticket holders are fairly easy to track, if I buy a seat somewhere else on StubHub for the next game, who will know if I completed a course? If my face is on some kind of “Keep Out” list, I can try to disguise myself. But these end-arounds carry a risk. If I’m caught sneaking back into a stadium, the cops can lock me up for trespassing.
