Introducing a risk assessment model for sport venues.

With the unknown certainty of terrorist actions and fan behavior, it is impossible to ensure a risk-free environment at America's sporting venues. Incidents will happen and emergencies will arise. It is therefore a matter of how one prepares, responds, and recovers to mitigate the consequences of emergencies at a sporting venue. Sport venue managers need to be aware of risk assessment methodologies to detect threats, identify vulnerabilities, and reduce consequences. Information gathered through this process is extremely valuable to enhance security measures and harden the venue. This article discusses risk assessment and analysis, addresses the need for risk assessments at sporting venues, and describes the sport-specific risk assessment model developed through The Center for Spectator Sports Security Management at The University of Southern Mississippi while conducting research through a Homeland Security grant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]