A conceptual approach to classifying sports fans

TLDR

Past theories inadequately explain fan behavior, creating a need to identify distinct fan types. The study develops a typology of sports fans and outlines directions for future research. The typology identifies five fan types—temporary, local, devoted, fanatical, and dysfunctional—and demonstrates its usefulness by providing segmentation strategies for each.

Abstract

Develops a classification or typology of the sports fan. Specifically, contends that five different types of sports fans exist: temporary, local, devoted, fanatical, and dysfunctional. The need exists to identify the different types of fans due to the inadequacies of past theories to explain the totality of fan behavior. The usefulness of the typology is demonstrated by offering specific segmentation strategies for each classification. Finally, directions for future research are presented.