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March sadness: Coping with fan identity threat

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  • Delia, Elizabeth B.

Abstract

While a majority of team identification studies have focused on the influence of psychological connection on organizational objectives, it is important to also examine the influence of team identification on fans in terms of their well-being. Considering the latter, there has been a relative lack of inquiry into how identified fans cope with identity threat, such as program scandal. In the current study, the author uses autoethnography, an interpretive ethnographic mode of inquiry, to examine her Syracuse University Men’s Basketball fandom and her reaction to sanctions imposed on the program in 2015. In doing so, the author finds that she relied on multiple emotion-focused coping strategies over a one-year period to deal with identity threat until a series of positive team-related events restored her identity. The author also finds that her role identities as fan and scholar frequently conflicted one another. Theoretical, methodological, and managerial implications of the current study are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Delia, Elizabeth B., 2017. "March sadness: Coping with fan identity threat," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 408-421.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:spomar:v:20:y:2017:i:4:p:408-421
    DOI: 10.1016/j.smr.2016.11.007
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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. Shaw, Sally & Hoeber, Larena, 2016. "Unclipping our wings: Ways forward in qualitative research in sport management," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 255-265.
    3. Gould, Stephen J, 1995. "Researcher Introspection as a Method in Consumer Research: Applications, Issues, and Implications: Comments," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 21(4), pages 719-722, March.
    4. 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.
    5. Funk, Daniel C. & James, Jeff, 2001. "The Psychological Continuum Model: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding an Individual's Psychological Connection to Sport," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 4(2), pages 119-150, November.
    6. Bob Heere & Jeffrey D. James, 2007. "Stepping Outside the Lines: Developing a Multi-dimensional Team Identity Scale Based on Social Identity Theory," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 65-91, January.
    7. Sally Shaw & Larena Hoeber, 2016. "Unclipping our wings: Ways forward in qualitative research in sport management," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(3), pages 255-265, July.
    8. Larena Hoeber & Shannon Kerwin, 2013. "Exploring the experiences of female sport fans: A collaborative self-ethnography," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(3), pages 326-336, July.
    9. Delia, Elizabeth B., 2015. "The exclusiveness of group identity in celebrations of team success," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 396-406.
    10. Heere, Bob & James, Jeffrey D., 2007. "Stepping Outside the Lines: Developing a Multi-dimensional Team Identity Scale Based on Social Identity Theory," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 65-91, May.
    11. 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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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Manuel Maqueira‐Marín & Pedro Victor Nuñez‐Cacho‐Utrilla & José Fernández‐Menéndez & Beatriz Minguela‐Rata, 2022. "Fast‐track talent to compete in the short term. Looking at the soccer mirror: Atlético de Madrid FC versus FC Barcelona," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3479-3497, December.
    2. Mansfield, Aaron C. & Delia, Elizabeth B. & Katz, Matthew, 2020. "The blurry spectrums of team identity threat," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 414-427.

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