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What makes a fan a fan?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Pro Sports ▸ What makes a fan a fan?
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:18 PM
Spin off of some of the other topics, but what do you consider the qualities and traits of a fan?
Nov 12, 2010 12:18pm
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:23 PM
Blind loyalty to the subject in question be it a sport, a team or a player.
Nov 12, 2010 12:23pm
KR1245's avatar

KR1245

Senior Member

4,317 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:25 PM
Loyalty to a team
Nov 12, 2010 12:25pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:28 PM
Fair enough, but what about from a financial standpoint? Sure someone can call themselves a fan, but are you a fan if you just claim it, yet don't buy merchandise, attend games, watch on TV and support their corporate sponsors?

An example of blind loyalty being detrimental from a fans perspective is the Cleveland Indians. The owner is committed to playing the current system so that he maximizes his return on investment. Would a true fan be fed up with the product on the field and still attend games? Or would a true fan demand more and not attend games and not watch them?
Nov 12, 2010 12:28pm
KR1245's avatar

KR1245

Senior Member

4,317 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:32 PM
thedynasty1998;554959 wrote:Fair enough, but what about from a financial standpoint? Sure someone can call themselves a fan, but are you a fan if you just claim it, yet don't buy merchandise, attend games, watch on TV and support their corporate sponsors?

An example of blind loyalty being detrimental from a fans perspective is the Cleveland Indians. The owner is committed to playing the current system so that he maximizes his return on investment. Would a true fan be fed up with the product on the field and still attend games? Or would a true fan demand more and not attend games and not watch them?

As a "fan" I think you have to support the players on the team. What the owner plans on doing has nothing with the way that the players will approach the game.
Nov 12, 2010 12:32pm
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Con_Alma

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12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:36 PM
thedynasty1998;554959 wrote:Fair enough, but what about from a financial standpoint? Sure someone can call themselves a fan, but are you a fan if you just claim it, yet don't buy merchandise, attend games, watch on TV and support their corporate sponsors?

...
I would say yes, one can certainly be a fan without those financial expenditures. Often times, however, the fanaticism drives you to doing so. The financial support is a result of being a fan not a required part of the definition.

I don't know that I am a "fan" of much of anything but for the record I don't buy merchandise, I do attend games of certain sports, I don't watch hardly any TV but I might occasionally catch something on TV and I couldn't give a lick about what corporate sponsors some organization might have.
Nov 12, 2010 12:36pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:37 PM
That is an interesting perspective.

Do you encourage or resent bandwagon fans of your favorite teams?
Nov 12, 2010 12:37pm
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:40 PM
I neither encourage nor resent, no.
Nov 12, 2010 12:40pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:41 PM
Con_Alma;554968 wrote:I would say yes, one can certainly be a fan without those financial expenditures. Often times, however, the fanaticism drives you to doing so. The financial support is a result of being a fan not a required part of the definition.

I don't know that I am a "fan" of much of anything but for the record I don't buy merchandise, I do attend games of certain sports, I don't watch hardly any TV but I might occasionally catch something on TV and I couldn't give a lick about what corporate sponsors some organization might have.

That's pretty much how I am. I'm a very casual fan of most teams that I follow, however I am a huge "Fan" of the games themselves. I love basketball and football, however I don't have a diehard loyalty to any team that would ever cause me to lose sleep.

Last year I would have said I was a Cavs fan, but more so a Lebron fan. I attended a few games, but then there are people on here who claim to be more loyal fans, yet didn't attend one game. Since I actually supported the team financially, I would tend to argue I am more of a fan. Plus, I watched most games on TV if I was available to.
Nov 12, 2010 12:41pm
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Con_Alma

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12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:45 PM
thedynasty1998;554974 wrote:... I'm a very casual fan of most teams that I follow, however I am a huge "Fan" of the games themselves....

...Since I actually supported the team financially, I would tend to argue I am more of a fan. ...
Your first above comment I can relate to very much.

I would, however, disagree with the fact that financial support is a direct indication of being more of a fan than another.

One can be extremely fanatical and still not financially contribute.
Nov 12, 2010 12:45pm
hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:51 PM
Are you questioning my fanhood?

Does your fanhood need questioned?
Nov 12, 2010 12:51pm
C

Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 12:56 PM
Who is "you" and "your"?
Nov 12, 2010 12:56pm
hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:07 PM
Lol its from an old commercial.
Nov 12, 2010 1:07pm
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Con_Alma

Senior Member

12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:07 PM
What were they advertising?
Nov 12, 2010 1:07pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:10 PM
[video=youtube;C7Bvk70VsI4][/video]
Nov 12, 2010 1:10pm
C

Con_Alma

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12,198 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:16 PM
A television ad which is advertising a web site...it's no wonder I have never seen it.
Nov 12, 2010 1:16pm
grodt's avatar

grodt

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1,588 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:22 PM
thedynasty1998;554974 wrote: Last year I would have said I was a Cavs fan, but more so a Lebron fan. I attended a few games, but then there are people on here who claim to be more loyal fans, yet didn't attend one game. Since I actually supported the team financially, I would tend to argue I am more of a fan. Plus, I watched most games on TV if I was available to.

I don't think actually attending games shows whether or not you're a "true fan". I consider myself to be a huge Browns, Cavs and Indians fan. However because of being young/not having the money I've never been to a Browns game, only 2 Cavs games and a handful of Indians games. Now I watch almost every game on TV and have my fair share of gear from each one of those teams so I suppose that I support them financially also, albeit in a smaller capacity. To me being a fan is supporting the team on the field to the very end. If they stink you root for them to get better. You may not always agree with ownership, coaching decisions or like specific players but you always support the team as a whole.
Nov 12, 2010 1:22pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:57 PM
I wouldn't ever questions someone's status of being a fan of anyone team or why they choose to root for them. I know females that root for a team based on uniform color.

But, if the eye's of an organization, their definition of a fan would be someone who supports them financially.
Nov 12, 2010 1:57pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Nov 12, 2010 1:59 PM
If you like a good team....you = bandwagon fan. If you like a shit team you = true, die hard fan.

At least thats the idea I get from reading some of the posts on this board.
Nov 12, 2010 1:59pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:24 PM
I don't think buying merchandise has anything to do with being considered a "fan". I've followed the Tar Heels in Basketball since I was 9 or 10 and I have had maybe 3 or 4 shirts and 2 hats ever of them.

I like the stuff but I don't like to wear it that often so it isn't a big need for me.

I refuse to buy Browns jerseys because my streak of purchases hasn't been great. (Tim Couch, William Green, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow)

I do own 2 Reds hats and a shirt.

I do have an OSU polo but that's it.
Nov 12, 2010 2:24pm
lhslep134's avatar

lhslep134

why so serious?

9,774 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:29 PM
Absolutely ridiculous question.

Doesn't matter why you like someone, if you like them, you like them. Who actually cares? I know some people on here actually do, and that's pathetic.
Nov 12, 2010 2:29pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:29 PM
Automatik;555062 wrote:If you like a good team....you = bandwagon fan. If you like a shit team you = true, die hard fan.

At least thats the idea I get from reading some of the posts on this board.

That about sums it up.
Nov 12, 2010 2:29pm
thedynasty1998's avatar

thedynasty1998

Senior Member

6,844 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:30 PM
lhslep134;555089 wrote:Absolutely ridiculous question.

Doesn't matter why you like someone, if you like them, you like them. Who actually cares? I know some people on here actually do, and that's pathetic.

Totally agree with you. One should never be questioned for whom he is a fan of, however that's not the case on here due to a couple individuals.
Nov 12, 2010 2:30pm
I

I drain 3's

Senior Member

574 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:32 PM
This thread should be interesting. I'm sure COA will come in and tell you all you're not real fans, who you should be fans of, etc. In other words, he's going to UBER PWN you! LOLZ.
Nov 12, 2010 2:32pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Nov 12, 2010 2:40 PM
Automatik;555062 wrote:If you like a good team....you = bandwagon fan. If you like a shit team you = true, die hard fan.

At least thats the idea I get from reading some of the posts on this board.

No, its just hard to fathom a person from Ohio just happening to be a Lakers/Cowboys/Yankee fan, I mean why those teams? It's because they are good, and that makes you a bandwagon fan.
Nov 12, 2010 2:40pm