Sports Fans Research Articles

My sweetheart has a basketball match: The relationship between love-hate and identification of individuals attending a euroleague match for recreational purposes.

The objective of this research was to examine the Love-Hate and Identification Relationship of Individuals Participating in Euroleague Match for Recreational Purposes. The study was conducted using a relational survey methodology. The study's population comprises persons who watching recreational purpose part in the Euroleague match held in Istanbul in 2023-2024 season, while the sample consists of 178 voluntary participants selected through convenience sampling. The participants completed the Fan Love-Hate Scale and Fan Identification Scale, in addition to being asked about their gender, marital status, age, educational status, and frequency of attending football matches per week. The data collected from the personal information form and scales was entered into the IBM SPSS 24.0 software package for analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Independent Sample T test and One-way Anova methods. The LSD test was employed to ascertain the dissimilarity between the groups. The Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to ascertain the association between the variables of love-hate and identity. In summary, it is evident that demographic factors, including gender and age, significantly influence fan perceptions and sports identification. In contrast, there is no substantial correlation observed between attributes such as level of education achieved and the frequency of engaging in sports activities, and the aforementioned outcomes. The significant associations identified between the Fan Love-Hate Scale and the Sports Fan Identification Scale underscore the complex relationship between fans' emotional experiences and their connection to sports. Further investigations could be conducted to go deeper into the underlying causes that contribute to these relationships and inequalities, so resulting in a more thorough understanding of fan psychology.

Detection of cyberhate speech towards female sport in the Arabic Xsphere.

The recent rapid growth in the number of Saudi female athletes and sports enthusiasts' presence on social media has exposed them to gender-hate speech and discrimination. Hate speech, a harmful worldwide phenomenon, can have severe consequences. Its prevalence in sports has surged alongside the growing influence of social media, with X serving as a prominent platform for the expression of hate speech and discriminatory comments, often targeting women in sports. This research combines two studies that explores online hate speech and gender biases in the context of sports, proposing an automated solution for detecting hate speech targeting women in sports on platforms like X, with a particular focus on Arabic, a challenging domain with limited prior research. In Study 1, semi-structured interviews with 33 Saudi female athletes and sports fans revealed common forms of hate speech, including gender-based derogatory comments, misogyny, and appearance-related discrimination. Building upon the foundations laid by Study 1, Study 2 addresses the pressing need for effective interventions to combat hate speech against women in sports on social media by evaluating machine learning (ML) models for identifying hate speech targeting women in sports in Arabic. A dataset of 7,487 Arabic tweets was collected, annotated, and pre-processed. Term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and part-of-speech (POS) feature extraction techniques were used, and various ML algorithms were trained Random Forest consistently outperformed, achieving accuracy (85% and 84% using TF-IDF and POS, respectively) compared to other methods, demonstrating the effectiveness of both feature sets in identifying Arabic hate speech. The research contribution advances the understanding of online hate targeting Arabic women in sports by identifying various forms of such hate. The systematic creation of a meticulously annotated Arabic hate speech dataset, specifically focused on women's sports, enhances the dataset's reliability and provides valuable insights for future research in countering hate speech against women in sports. This dataset forms a strong foundation for developing effective strategies to address online hate within the unique context of women's sports. The research findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to combat hate speech against women in sports on social media, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and recognizing the significance of female participation in sports.

The Link between Fan Engagement and Economic Performance of Professional Sports Teams

This research paper will investigate the relationship between sports fan engagement and the economic performance of sports teams. Understanding this relationship will allow sports teams to generate higher revenue and build brand loyalty among fans. My research process involves evaluating sports fan engagement data and its impact on team economic performance, including but not limited to price elasticity and revenue. Additionally, I will identify specific marketing and fan engagement tactics that teams are currently using and provide recommendations for improvement to maximize engagement. I will do this by analyzing financial and economic data, as well as fan engagement case studies.

Stakeholder Perceptions of a Corporate Community Involvement Health Initiative for Male Sport Fans

Stakeholder Perceptions of a Corporate Community Involvement Health Initiative for Male Sport Fans

Sport Analytics Business: Exploring Fan Engagement on Analytical Content

With the emerging trend of technological advancement in sport media production, sport analytics has provided fan-oriented game contents through multimedia platforms. This study aims to empirically investigate sport fans’ perceptions toward sport analytics contents (i.e., statistics, video, data visualization, decision-aid) by exploring their impact on fan engagement (i.e., information, entertainment, personal identity, social interaction) and employing the uses and gratifications theory. Using multiple regressions, this study found that sport fans are more likely to consume statistics and video contents for information search and entertainment. Moreover, data visualization and decision-aid contents showed a positive impact on subjects’ personal identity and social interaction. The present study highlights key aspects of sport analytics in its application to sport media production as well as sport management at large.

A Bayesian Network Approach to Infer Causality of Sports Spectators' Eco-Friendly Behavioral Intentions

PURPOSE This study explores the factors influencing eco-friendly behavioral intentions during sports spectating and infers the causal structure linking each variable to eco-friendly behavioral intentions.METHODS A total of 364 sports fans participated in the survey that collected data on Knowledge of Climate Change (KCC), Awareness of Climate Change (ACC), Attitude of Climate Change (ATT), Subjective Norm of Climate Change (SN), Perceived Behavior Control of Climate Change (PBC), and Behavioral intention to Reduce Single-Use Plastic (INT) during sports spectating. The validity of the measurement was examined through confirmatory factor analysis. Based on the validated data, latent variables’ average scores were reconstructed as input variables for the Bayesian Network, along with demographic characteristics.RESULTS The results of Bayesian network learning indicated that ACC, ATT, SN, and PBC variables directly influence INT. ACC affects ATT and SN, while ACC is influenced by KCC and sex. Conversely, PBC influenced INT but showed no association with the other input variables. SN was found to have the greatest impact on INT during sports spectating, while the influence of PBC was relatively low.CONCLUSIONS The causal structure inferred in the current study using Bayesian network learning provides insights into the previously underexplored relationship structure explaining eco-friendly behavioral intentions of sports fans in the field of sports science. The findings of this study can serve as empirical evidence for sports-related organizations to develop strategies and decision-making processes to promote sustainable sports spectatorship.

스포츠팬의 팀에 대한 공감이 재관람의도에 미치는 영향 : 시즌평가와 용서의 매개효과

스포츠팬의 팀에 대한 공감이 재관람의도에 미치는 영향 : 시즌평가와 용서의 매개효과

ROLE OF MEDIA IN PROMOTING TOURISM THROUGH SPORTS IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan enjoys weather conditions which are considered appropriate for both sport and tourism. With its diverse landscapes and historical cultural heritage, there are countless opportunities for sports enthusiasts and adventurers from all around the world. Media is vital to creating and marketing sports tourism in Pakistan. By showcasing the beauty of Pakistan's natural landscapes, historical heritage and places, and diverse culture through various media platforms, the country can easily attract a global audience of sports fans. For instance, coverage of sporting events, such as cricket matches, polo tournaments, and jeep rallies, provides a unique glimpse into the country's vibrant sporting culture and natural beauty. Through attractive visuals and compelling narratives, the media has the ability to effectively highlight Pakistan as a desirable sports tourism destination. Consequently, the arrival of tourists will increase, and economic development will be promoted. Therefore, this research focuses on role of media in promoting tourism through sports in Pakistan. This study uses qualitative research technique i.e., interview method. Sample size of 20 respondents has been drawn by using purposive sampling technique comprising of sports journalists, and economic stake holders. Additionally, thematic analysis was applied to further analyze data collected on the basis of themes and sub-themes.

INCLUSIVE FASHION: A JEANS JACKET CUSTOMIZATION PROPOSAL FOR WHICH CUSTOMER

Currently, individuals with disabilities have the right to inclusion and active participation in social environments and settings they wish to engage in. This study aims to reflect upon physical disability, self-esteem, inclusion, and accessibility of people with disabilities in recreational settings. Through a case study, the research presents an inclusion proposal by creating a customized garment for a wheelchair-bound sports fan.

Социализация молодых болельщиков под воздействием института профессионального спорта (на примере г. Ростова-на-Дону)

Социализация молодых болельщиков под воздействием института профессионального спорта (на примере г. Ростова-на-Дону)

Genuine or impression management? Uncovering biases in how people respond to the Black Lives Matter movement in sport

PurposeNational surveys reveal that sports fans exhibit greater support for athletes, sports teams and leagues endorsing social justice initiatives compared to the general population, highlighting the potential of sports for positive social impact. This study investigates whether such responses are influenced by systematic biases.Design/methodology/approachReplicating a Nielsen national survey, two experiments explore whether biases affect support for athletes' participation in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. The study also examines partisan motivated reasoning as a factor driving sports fans' support for BLM.FindingsWhile avid fans display stronger endorsement of BLM compared to causal/non-sports fans, evidence suggests that systematic biases distort these responses. When sport identity becomes salient, reported support for the BLM movement becomes inflated.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers often employ self-report surveys to gauge audience perceptions of athlete activism or cause-related initiatives, particularly when assessing their impact. This study's findings indicate that this context is susceptible to SDB.Originality/valueThe study underscores the role of systematic biases in self-report surveys, particularly in socially desirable contexts. People tend to over-report “positive behavior,” leading survey participants to respond more favorably to questions that are socially desirable. Therefore, interpreting survey results with caution becomes essential when the research context is deemed socially (un)desirable. It is crucial for researchers to apply appropriate measures to identify and mitigate systematic response biases. The authors recommend that researchers adopt both procedural and statistical remedies to detect and reduce social desirability biases.

Supplemental Material for Losing Passion: A Test of the Seasonal Attenuation of Passion (SAP) Hypothesis Across Three Longitudinal Studies With Athletes and Sport Fans

Supplemental Material for Losing Passion: A Test of the Seasonal Attenuation of Passion (SAP) Hypothesis Across Three Longitudinal Studies With Athletes and Sport Fans

Tell me who your favorite team is, and I'll tell you about your moral compass: sports fans and media crises

Tell me who your favorite team is, and I'll tell you about your moral compass: sports fans and media crises

RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION: EVALUATING THE SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON HANDBALL

The analysis of the socio-economic crisis and its impact on handball is based on concrete statistical evidence of the financial challenges imposed on handball sector during the COVID-19 crisis. This was exemplified in the cancellation and postponement of sports events. This study further explores the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis on players and staff. Alternative training methods, including virtual coaching and individual home training programmes were emphasised as crucial player development strategies. Moreover, the research highlights the important role of financial release packages in mitigating the socio-economic and psychological crisis. The employment decline in handball sector and surrounding industries is being examined along with the sector’s adaptive policies to ensure optimal health conditions. The research aims at defining strategic responses to facilitate the handball tradition continuation and to ensure its visibility by mitigating the financial crisis. It also underlines the long-term shift towards digital and online platforms in sports management and fan engagement. Further research of handball development after the pandemic crisis and predominant online engagement is required. The innovative approaches in sports sponsorship along with the novel digital platforms and social media usage for online engagement are examined. The socio-economic influence of handball as a factor in general economy, both on global and local scale, is recognised through its interconnectedness with travel, commerce and wide range of businesses.

Revisiting the Relationship Between Sports Fandom and the Black Criminal Stereotype: A Replication and Extension Study

In news media, one stereotype that is continually over-represented is Black men as criminals, leading to what many refer to as “the Black criminal stereotype.” Although research demonstrates that distorted news portrayals of criminals can provoke stereotypical responses in viewers, limited evidence connects these effects to sport media. Anderson and Raney (2018) explored this in an experimental study ( n = 234) and found evidence of the Black criminal stereotype among sports fans. However, more research was needed to further explore this phenomenon. The current study employed a similar experimental design ( n = 603) in an attempt to (1) replicate their 2018 study to examine whether sports fans’ perceptions of criminal athletes have changed over the past several years, especially in light of the Black Lives Matter movement, and (2) determine whether the sport played by an alleged criminal athlete might be linked to judgments regarding race and crime in sports. Our findings indicate that sports fandom still predicts stereotypical judgments. However, individual difference variables—particularly social conservatism, African American stereotype endorsement, and gender—were more strongly related. Our findings point toward the potential power of social movements in influencing attitudes and beliefs regarding race and crime.

Child images affect sports fans' prosociality and aggression

This study explores the effect of child images in advertisements on financial support provided by team fans -including the intention to buy licensed club products- and reported aggression toward rival team fans. An online experiment was conducted on Turkey's three largest rival club fans (Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Beşiktaş). Used visual materials were derived from Football (Study 1) and Basketball (Study 2). Fans (N = 496) exposed to the appeals with child images showed a higher intention to support their team financially and buy licensed club products; however, the stated aggression toward rival club fans did not differ. A follow-up experimental study (N = 132) was conducted on Fenerbahçe fans to retest this insignificant effect, in which fans’ state aggression is increased through a motivation video. It is concluded that this approach was only effective on aggression for the fans whose team identification was significantly higher. Findings are discussed within the kin selection theory and kindchenschema cuteness concept.

How best to measure connection to a team: team identification, brand attitude/loyalty, consumer lifestyle or interest level?

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare four different consumer pathway models based on identity theory, attitude/loyalty theory, lifestyle theory and hierarchy of effects theory, each with associated instruments measuring connection to the team.Design/methodology/approachThe authors did a two-study analysis, first collecting data from people aware of an NFL team (N = 218) and then an MLS team (N = 209) to determine which connection item performed better.FindingsThe authors found that the Consumer Pathway for Sport Fandom based on the hierarchy of effects theory and its associated interest measurement item performed better than the other three frameworks and items. The Interest item shared the most variance with games attended, games intending to attend, games watched via media and games intending to watch via media.Originality/valueThe Consumer Pathway for Sport Fandom represents the entire consumer spectrum from non-aware consumers all the way up to die-hard sports fans. This pathway will allow sport marketers to track their consumers from initial awareness of the product or service all the way through the brand relationship to ultimate loyalty.

INVESTIGATION OF THE ATTITUDES OF USERS OF SPORTS TOURISM ON MOUNTAIN GOČ

In this paper, the authors analyze and investigate the relevant facts of the organization and management of sports and recreational tourism in the Goč valley. Today's tourists expect a lot from tourist destinations. So today's tourists are ready to pay more. For this reason, the marketing role must be crucial for sports tourism. Mount Goč in the context of sports tourism explores the potential of Mount Goč as a destination for sports tourism. Goč mountain, located in Serbia, offers a variety of natural beauties and sports opportunities that attract lovers of active vacations. The paper analyzes the geographical location of the mountain and its accessibility, and highlights the proximity of major cities and roads as key advantages for the development of sports tourism based on the opinions of users. The mountain offers various terrains for sports activities, including hiking, cycling, skiing and snowboarding, as well as opportunities for adventure sports such as paragliding and mountain biking. Also, the paper explores the existing sports infrastructure on Goč, including tracks, sports fields and accommodation facilities. The importance of further infrastructure development for attracting sports enthusiasts and tourists is emphasized. Then the competition and demand for sports activities on Mount Goč are analyzed, including a comparison with other mountain destinations in the region. Marketing strategies and promotion of the mountain as a destination for sports tourism are also discussed. Based on all of the above, the paper concludes that Mount Goč has significant potential for the development of sports tourism, but that it is necessary to continuously invest in infrastructure and promotion in order to attract sports fans and tourists and stimulate the economic sustainability of tourism. region through this type of tourism.

Black U.S. Military Affiliated Perspectives on Sport Media's Coverage of Racial Representation and Athlete Activism

Black U.S. military affiliated sport fans hold a unique place in society, as their multiple identities (i.e., racial and career) may possess conflicting elements. Militarism preaches nationalism, meritocracy, and bootstrapism, whereas Black sport activism questions if these “American” values extend to people of color. The current study interviewed Black military affiliated individuals ( N = 10) to understand their perceptions on nationalism and racism within the landscape of contemporary sport activism. The protests initiated by Colin Kaepernick of the National Football League, who took a knee during the pregame national anthem, was a focal point for discussion with the participants. Three main themes were identified in the interviews: (a) protectors of the first amendment, (b) the “right” and “wrong” way to protest, and (c) new racism and color blindness in sport. This study allows a group that is not often studied to voice their perceptions of nationalism and racism in the context of sport activism.

Revolutionizing Fan Engagement: Adopting Trends and Technologies in The Vibrant Indian Sports Landscape

The Indian sports industry is undergoing a substantial transformation in fan engagement, driven by evolving trends and technological innovations. This study comprehensively analyses the current state, methodologies, and implications of fan engagement within the Indian sports sector. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in traditional fan behaviour, with a decline in physical gatherings and a surge in alternative forms of participation such as co-watching, online discussions, sports betting, and content sharing. The research employs a multifaceted methodology, combining data collection, surveys, and trend analysis. It explores the Impact of cutting-edge technologies like Over-the-Top (OTT) media services, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual Reality (VR) on reshaping fan engagement. The dynamic and tech-driven nature of the Indian sports industry necessitates a holistic understanding of contemporary fan engagement strategies. This study aims to analyze the current landscape of fan engagement in Indian sports, explore methodologies employed, and assess the Impact of technological innovations on fan behaviour. Quantitative methods like data collection through surveys have been employed to gain insights into emerging trends and their influence on fan engagement. Survey data reveals the enduring dominance of cricket (46%) and the growing prominence of football (29%) among Indian sports fans. Notably, there is significant trust (46%) in in-game analysis technologies, indicating fans' readiness to embrace technological enhancements. While live stadium experiences remain popular, the survey underscores the role of digital platforms, with 57% preferring Hotstar for sports content. The rising popularity of fantasy league apps and the recognition of social media's Impact on player performance (64%) present opportunities for digital engagement. The study concludes by offering recommendations for businesses and stakeholders to adapt to the changing landscape. It underscores the importance of integrating innovative technologies, fostering online fan communities, and tailoring content and experiences to cater to the evolving expectations of Indian sports enthusiasts.