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Fan response to the identity threat of potential team relocation

Author

Listed:
  • Wegner, Christine E.
  • Delia, Elizabeth B.
  • Baker, Bradley J.

Abstract

Group identities do not remain stable over time and team identity is no exception. As researchers have acknowledged team identity formation and maintenance as ongoing processes, it is equally important to explore how fans navigate threats to team identity. The purpose of this study is to understand how fans’ team identity was impacted by identity threat. The authors used digital ethnography to investigate how fans of the National Football League (NFL) Rams processed the identity threat presented by the team’s potential cross-country relocation from St. Louis, Missouri to Los Angeles, California. Based on analysis of fans’ real-time responses (via online discussion board), the authors found that fans’ team identity changed in meaning and importance as a result of the threat. The findings have theoretical implications for the study of team identification, particularly concerning the evaluative nature of identity, the relationship between team and place identity, and the inclusiveness of the group in team identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Wegner, Christine E. & Delia, Elizabeth B. & Baker, Bradley J., 2020. "Fan response to the identity threat of potential team relocation," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 215-228.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:spomar:v:23:y:2020:i:2:p:215-228
    DOI: 10.1016/j.smr.2019.01.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lock, Daniel J. & Funk, Daniel C., 2016. "The Multiple In-group Identity Framework," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 85-96.
    2. Doyle, Jason P. & Lock, Daniel & Funk, Daniel C. & Filo, Kevin & McDonald, Heath, 2017. "‘I was there from the start’: The identity-maintenance strategies used by fans to combat the threat of losing," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 184-197.
    3. Elizabeth B. Delia, 2015. "The exclusiveness of group identity in celebrations of team success," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 396-406, July.
    4. Daniel C. Funk, 2017. "Introducing a Sport Experience Design (SX) framework for sport consumer behaviour research," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 145-158, April.
    5. Funk, Daniel C., 2017. "Introducing a Sport Experience Design (SX) framework for sport consumer behaviour research," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 145-158.
    6. Delia, Elizabeth B., 2015. "The exclusiveness of group identity in celebrations of team success," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 396-406.
    7. Noortje Marres & Esther Weltevrede, 2013. "Scraping The Social?," Journal of Cultural Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(3), pages 313-335, August.
    8. Daniel J. Lock & Daniel C. Funk, 2016. "The Multiple In-group Identity Framework," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 85-96, April.
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