Sports Fans Research Articles

The Race Within a Race: Starting Together, Finishing Apart

Every four years the world’s best athletes come together to compete in the Olympic games, electrifying audiences with incredible feats of speed, strength, endurance and skill as personal best performances and new records are set. However, the exceptional talent that underpin such performances is incomprehensible to most casual observers who often cannot appreciate how unique these athletes are. In this regard, endurance running, specifically the marathon, a 42.195 km foot race, provides one of the few occasions in sport outside of Olympic, world and national competitions, that permits sport scientists and fans alike to directly compare differences in the physiology between recreational and elite competitors. While these individuals may all cover the same distance, on the same course, on the same day – their experience and the physiological and psychological demands placed upon them are vastly different. There is, in effect, a “race within a race”. In the current review we highlight the superior physiology of the elite endurance athlete, emphasizing the gap between elite competitors and well-trained, but less genetically endowed athletes. We draw attention to a range of inconsistencies in how current sports science practices are understood, implemented, and communicated in terms of the elite and not-so-elite endurance athlete.

Weekend (Keyboard) Warriors: Differences in Social Media Consumption and Production Between NFL and College Football Fans

Sports fans are often some of the most passionate groups of fans and the use of social media can intensify those feelings, both in expressing their feelings and consumption of content. Football fans are a unique group in American sports culture, but how much difference is there within that group in terms of these behaviors? Using a social identity approach, this manuscript analyzed the degree to which team identification and fan identification played a role in the social media consumption and production in college football and National Football League (NFL) fans. A total of 586 fans responded to a survey that examined respondent’s team and fan identification, as well as social media consumption, creation, and sharing behaviors. Results indicated that college football fans generally identified with fellow fans of their favorite football team and consumed, created, and shared social media more frequently and with greater intensity than their NFL counterparts. Key differences between college football and NFL fans included fan identification predicted social media consumption and creation, while team identification predicted social media sharing among both college and NFL fans.

S923 Sports Fans and the GI Lab: Analyzing Show Rates for Colonoscopies and EGDs After Football Games

S923 Sports Fans and the GI Lab: Analyzing Show Rates for Colonoscopies and EGDs After Football Games

Satellite fans’ nostalgia buffers negative emotions and increases well-being and travel intention

This study aimed to examine how satellite fans perceived the risk of COVID-19 and its influence on their emotions (i.e., nostalgia, depression, and frustration), well-being, and intention to travel to the stadium of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) teams in the future. A total of 511 EPFL fans in Singapore participated in this study. Results showed that the perceived risk of COVID-19 increased depression and frustration; satellite fans who felt frustrated were more likely to feel depressed and nostalgic, and nostalgia positively affected well-being and travel intention. In addition, we found that the satellite fans who felt well were more likely to visit the stadium of their favorite EPFL teams. We identified the buffering role of nostalgia, which contributes to advancing the literature on sports tourism development and provides a deeper understanding of the behaviors of sports fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The puzzle of sports fandom

ABSTRACT Why do sports fans sometimes (often?) go crazy at sporting events and then afterwards proceed with their day as if nothing much happened? If something of genuine significance happened, something that warranted the emotional ups and downs the fan experienced during the game, why don’t its effects linger? These questions pose a version of the puzzle of sports fandom. Others have applied Kendall Walton’s theory of fiction to solve the puzzle, but Walton’s account of sports fandom fiction is unacceptably thin. Recent attempts by Nathan Wildman and Joseph Moore to address this thinness problem fail. We answer the thinness objection by explaining how sports fandom is a collaboratively authored fiction, constructed by fans, sponsors, players, teams, media commentators, and more. The stories of sports fandom fiction are passed to new generations of fans in a way more reminiscent of The Iliad or The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Sports fandom fiction is more like folklore, and less like a novel.

When Sport Fandom Meets Motherhood: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences

Existing literature provides nascent insights into structural arrangements that shape mothers’ experiences of being a sport fan, yet we know little about the social meaning sport fandom holds for mothers. This exploratory study draws on qualitative interviews with 41 mothers from Australia and North America to examine their understandings of sport fandom in the context of their everyday lives and contemporary ideologies about mothering. Findings suggest that sport fandom presents an opportunity for mothers to redefine and transform both fan and mothering practices, thereby challenging popular orthodoxies that fandom becomes less important to women after having children. By foregrounding mothers’ efforts to stay engaged with their fandom, we extend research on the experiences of women sport fans and offer alternatives to normative constructs of fandom.

“Keeping it lowkey”: Exploring the experiences of Korean women fans of women's volleyball

Recently, there has been a significant increase in female audiences and fans at professional sport events in South Korea (hereafter Korea), particularly women's volleyball. This growth in higher viewer ratings and stadium attendance is attributed to elements such as athletes’ sportsmanship and their dynamic athletic performances. However, there is little known about the Korean women's volleyball league's fanbase. Previous studies have focused on the experiences of male and female fans’ interpretations of sport fan characteristics, experiences of female fans, or those of traditionally male-dominant sports such as ice hockey and football. Therefore, this study explores the experiences of self-identified women fans of women's professional volleyball in Korea. We seek to understand how research participants were introduced to volleyball, how they express their fanship, and how they define sport fans. According to the findings, a combination of structural systems in higher education and media streaming during pandemic restrictions has allowed volleyball content to become more accessible to research participants. Furthermore, the study examines how dukjil and fan service play significant roles in maintaining fanship, and the influence of generational characteristics on how women fans perceive and define sport fans.

Risk, harm, and the enhanced games: Whose job is harm reduction?

The Enhanced Games (TEG) have drawn interest from sports organizations, athletes, media, fans, and academics since they were first announced as a possibility. TEG not only presents a shift in how enhancement is approached, but it also turns the entire logic of anti-doping on its head and adopts an approach intended to support enhanced athletes and reduce the risks they may otherwise face in sport. This change was why here I will both concur with Andrew Richardson's general view on harm reduction and challenge some of the points around risk, harm, and responsibility. Specifically, I argue that many of the risks posed to athletes result from anti-doping itself and that by shining a light on enhanced performance TEG are already doing more to reduce those harms than other sport interventions in recent decades.

Multiple Identities as Buffer or Catalyst? An Investigation of Psycho-Behavioral Effects of Sports Fans’ Exposure to Abusive Social Media Content

ABSTRACT Sports, traditionally pregnant with aggression and violence, are now a breeding ground for online abuse, where toxicity and malicious campaigns on social media have even afflicted national sports role models together with their huge fan base. Drawing on an online survey of 917 Chinese volleyball enthusiasts, this study investigated the psycho-behavioral outcomes of sports fans’ social media exposure to abusive messages about their idols through the lens of rejection-(dis)identification theory. Findings indicate that fans’ subjective frequency of negative social media exposure is significantly negatively associated with their sport-related well-being but has no direct connection with their offline sport engagement. The study particularly delves into the mediating roles of fans’ multiple identities, namely sport identity as a competitive mediator and national identity as a complementary mediator. Furthermore, with multi-group structural equation modeling and mediation analyses on gender sub-groups, gender differences were determined such that male fans, compared with female fans, were more likely to marshal their identity capital, which effectively enhanced their well-being and participation in sports. By linking classic theoretical propositions, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the sociopsychological consequences of online abuse in sports for ordinary social media users, contributing to both theoretical insights and practical implications.

A multidimensional scale for assessing sport fan well-being: an examination in the context of professional baseball

ABSTRACT Purpose The purposes of this research are to (1) introduce a four-dimensional (hedonic, eudainomic, social, and physical) conceptualization of fan well-being in spectator sport and (2) present evidence for the reliability and validity of the multidimensional scale of fan well-being. Methodology Data were collected from professional baseball spectators in Japan. Through an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis, we assessed the factor structure of sport fan well-being, operationalized by a final set of 18 items. Findings Study 1 supports the four-factor structure of the scale, including a new dimension of physical fan well-being. In Study 2, the findings provide evidence for the construct validity of the measurement model and suggest that the four well-being dimensions are positively associated with previously validated scales (flourishing and life satisfaction) and can be integrated into a second-order latent construct. Practical implications Given the conceptual distinction between physical fan well-being and the other three dimensions, sport teams should provide fans with (1) cheering activities that are easy to understand and follow and (2) healthy food choices that allow fans to control body weight and prevent obesity. Research contribution This study extends previous research by integrating a new dimension of physical fan well-being, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of context-specific well-being in spectator sport.

A Study on the Causes of Abnormal Sports Fan Culture and Practical Governance Paths

In recent years, abnormal fan culture has gradually infiltrated the sports industry, severely affecting its development. The deviance of sports fan culture not only undermines the dissemination of sportsmanship but also threatens the sustainable development of sports. This paper analyzes the characteristics and connotations of sports fan culture in terms of groups, organizations, and behaviors, exploring the reasons for its deviance. Finally, targeted governance measures are proposed, utilizing a mechanism of multi-agent collaborative governance involving government, online media, society, schools, and families. Through coordinated efforts such as the formulation of corresponding laws and regulations, online regulation, legal education, and positive publicity, it aims to regulate sports fan culture, protect the physical and mental health of athletes, help young people establish correct idol views, and promote the positive development of social sports culture, thus maintaining a healthy sports fan ecology.

Book Symposium: Alfred Archer and Jake Wojtowicz’s Why it’s OK to be a Sports Fan

ABSTRACT This is a book symposium on Why It’s OK to Be a Sports Fan, by Alfred Archer and Jake Wojtowicz, with contributions from Adam Kadlac, Joe Slater, Nathaniel Baron-Schmitt, and Nina Windgätter. The discussion covers a range of topics, including the form of love involved in fandom, the epistemic status of fans, fictionalism, and the role of communities in fandom.

Legality of Broadcasting Rights Holders against the Prohibition of Watching With MNC Group at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup

This paper discusses the legality of broadcasting rights holders related to the no-watch together policy imposed by MNC Group at the 2024 U23 Asian Cup. The main focus of this paper is to analyze the conflict between legally protected broadcasting rights and binge-watching activities that are popular with sports fans. The research method used is a normative juridical approach with reference to copyright, broadcasting rights, and economic rights law. Data was obtained through literature studies and analysis of related information. The results of the study show that the ban on watching together imposed by MNC Group invites attention to the balance between the rights of broadcasting rights holders and the public interest, especially in the context of sports entertainment. This paper is expected to contribute to a further understanding of the legal and policy dynamics in the broadcasting rights and sports entertainment sector in Indonesia.

Never Again! Fandom and the Culture of Remembrance in German Football

Sport and politics have historically nurtured intrinsic connections. This article examines the role of a left-wing-oriented German football fan movement in confronting the Nazi past of football clubs. Focusing on FC St. Pauli, Werder Bremen, and SV Babelsberg 03, it explores the development of a nationwide culture of remembrance to avoid the resurgence of authoritarian regimes. We theorize that Germany’s Holocaust cultural trauma that developed new notions of time has influenced fans’ remembrance work, which includes the change of institutional official narratives of the clubs’ Nazi pasts. While acknowledging Germany’s sociocultural, political and temporal factors to explain this phenomenon, we call for action within sports organizations and fan bases of other Western countries to revisit their difficult heritage.

A societal perspective on nostalgia in satellite sports fandom: insights from the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions

ABSTRACT Nostalgia has been identified as a critical influence on sport fans. Although researchers have explored various aspects of satellite fans’ nostalgia, none have approached it from a societal standpoint. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between social connectedness needs and sport nostalgia among satellite fans. In addition, we examined how nostalgia is related to affective relationships, subjective well-being, and travel intention based on Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Data were collected from 222 Singapore satellite fans using an online questionnaire. Results showed that satellite fans’ nostalgic feelings, which arose from social connectedness needs, positively impacted their affective relationships and subjective well-being. These feelings motivated them to travel to sporting events. The findings enhance our understanding of how social connectedness needs influences satellite fans’ psychology and behaviour. Furthermore, it illustrates how nostalgia can expand and strengthen emotional connections and subjective well-being, underscoring its ability to affect travel intentions.

Fans' behaviour in selecting green accommodations

Sport tourism has become an increasingly popular global phenomenon, merging the allure of sporting events with the adventure of travel. Given the scale of such events and the transient spike in population they induce, it is crucial to consider sustainable practices, particularly in choosing accommodations. Green accommodations emerge as a key solution to mitigate the environmental footprint associated with sport tourism. This study investigates the behaviour of sports fans in selecting green accommodations, highlighting the increasing preference for environmentally responsible travel options in the context of sport tourism. Following the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this research assesses how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control influence fans’ decisions towards eco-friendly lodging. Data were collected from an open questionnaire distributed across diverse digital platforms in Italy. The online survey included questions aimed at investigating fans’ preferences and behaviours in selecting green accommodations. Key findings reveal that, while environmental sustainability is not always the primary factor in accommodation choice, there is a notable consciousness towards eco-friendly living among sports tourists. However, the booking of green accommodations often falls short of initial intentions due to factors like limited availability, higher costs, and insufficient information. This study proposes strategies for event organisers and policymakers to bridge this intention-behaviour gap, such as enhancing the visibility of green accommodations and offering incentives to promote sustainable choices. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of consumers’ behaviour in sustainable tourism and underscores the need for integrated efforts to facilitate more environmentally conscious decisions in sport-related travel.

Perceptions of Athlete Activism and Contentious Issues: Parasocial Relationships, Involvement, and Athlete-Cause Fit as Motivation for Cause Support

ABSTRACT This study investigates the emerging context of athlete activism, social identity, and prosocial outcomes. While public relations have long held the belief in its role as a prosocial corporate conscience, little empirical work has made the connection between athlete activism in sport and potential influence for a prosocial cause. Specifically, our findings aim to shed light on how the current wave of athlete activism may impact support for the espoused cause through social identity theory. Our paper undertakes a quantitative approach to analyze this context. An online survey (N = 335) of sport fans examines how perceptions of athlete activism can motivate support for the athlete themselves (watching competition, buying merchandise, cheering for the athlete) and for their cause (donating and volunteering). Findings revealed that issue involvement, parasocial relationships, and athlete-cause fit can boost these supportive intentions. Implications for communicating and amplifying athlete activism – with a focus on cause support – are discussed.

Pride of the East: Motorcycle Speedway, Transnational Encounters and Provincial Heartlands

AbstractFor a century, speedway has operated on a transnational basis. Its riders, competitions and machinery regularly traverse national and continental borders. The imposition of the Cold War's Iron Curtain did little to impede its growth. This article focuses on one of speedway's far‐flung and diverse provincial heartlands to show how the sport generated frequent transnational and transsystemic interactions and forged deep relationships that often stood in contrast to the prevailing trends of international politics. As one of speedway's ‘entangled peripheries’, rural East Anglia owes a debt of gratitude to Australasian pioneers. From the 1950s—decades before imported talent became commonplace in football—the region welcomed Scandinavian and Eastern Bloc riders and hosted visiting clubs and national representations from across the continent. Later, East Anglia became a bridgehead for the successful assault of communist‐built machinery on the Western market. These bold endeavours were not without controversy, as British riders voiced objections to foreign men and machines deemed a threat to their livelihoods. The Cold War's end accelerated existing trends and also created exciting new opportunities for itinerant East Anglians abroad. Archival material, conversations with the sport's foreign trailblazers and fans, Swedish and Czechoslovak sources, photographs and official publications serve to demonstrate speedway's enduring ability to forge unexpected ties and give voice to regions at the so‐called margins of twentieth‐century history.

Sports betting on sports consumers’ behavioral intention

ABSTRACT The legalization of sports betting has transformed the sports industry, and strategic partnerships between professional leagues and betting companies have become commonplace. The purpose of this study was to explore how sport fans actively engage in their favorite team via sports betting and examine the relationship between sports betting involvement, flow, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions among sports fans. An online survey was conducted to collect data from U.S. sports fans (N = 342), and partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that sports betting involvement positively affects fans’ flow experience and satisfaction, which in turn increases their behavioral intentions regarding game attendance and media consumption. Overall, the study contributes to the sport management literature by substantiating the positive role of sports betting in enhancing sports fan experiences. The study provides valuable insights into how sports betting can be used to increase behavioral intention via satisfaction and flow.

Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living, by Dimitris Xygalatas

Dimitris Xygalatas is an anthropologist and cognitive scientist interested in religion, ritual, music, and sports fanship among other topics. Xygalatas’s book Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living (Profile Books, 2022; henceforth Ritual) results from years of rigorous ethnographic and experimental work. Ritual follows the perspective of the cognitive and evolutionary science of religion (hereafter referred to as CESR) and brings the reader up-to-date findings in the naturalistic study of religion and rituals. Xygalatas follows a neo-Darwinian and functionalistic approach to the study of religion, whose theoretical premises he describes in a way that is accessible even to the lay public throughout the book, but mainly in its second chapter.