As the Super Bowl approaches, two teams and their respective fanbases will vie for a championship. For other teams whose seasons have ended without a title, hope remains as they look forward to the next season. Stephen Andon, an Associate Professor at Montclair State University, offers insights into what keeps fans loyal despite losses.
Andon explains that sports fandom is inherently hopeful due to the unpredictability of sports. “On any given day, any given team or player can win,” he says. This belief in possibility resonates with fans, even those too young to remember historic upsets like the 2008 New York Giants’ victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42.
Hope is a collective feeling among fans, intensified through shared experiences such as watching games together or attending matches. According to Andon, being a fan involves ritualistic behavior and emotional investment. He cites examples like Giants QB Tommy DeVito’s family tailgate parties as instances where loyalty fosters community.
Emotions play a significant role in sports fandom. The joy of winning can outweigh the suffering from losses. Long championship droughts endured by teams like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs illustrate that enduring hardships makes eventual victories more rewarding.
Fans often feel personally invested in their teams’ performances. They tend to use inclusive language when their team wins and distance themselves when it loses. This reflects how closely tied fan identities are to team success.
Superstitions also influence sports fandom. Fans believe their actions can impact game outcomes, evident in soccer where supporters create energetic atmospheres believed to inspire players.
Andon’s courses at Montclair State University prepare students for careers in sports communication by exploring these aspects of fan behavior and media coverage of sports.
