The consequences of disappointment in team performance among baseball fans

This study examined the consequences of fan disappointment for future sport team investment and identification. Authors hypothesized that disappointment would be followed, in general, by reduced investment and identification, but level of preseason identification with the team would moderate effects...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sport behavior 2014-12, Vol.37 (4), p.407-407
Main Authors: Yost, John H, Rainey, David W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Athletes
Baseball (Professional)
Baseball fans
Baseball teams
Emotions
Fans
Hypotheses
Loyalty
Professional baseball
Psychological aspects
Social aspects
Sports fans
Studies
Success
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Summary:This study examined the consequences of fan disappointment for future sport team investment and identification. Authors hypothesized that disappointment would be followed, in general, by reduced investment and identification, but level of preseason identification with the team would moderate effects of disappointment on those measures. Baseball fans answered preseason questionnaires measuring expectations for 2009 performance, 2008 team investment, and team identification. After a disappointing season, 55 fans answered questionnaires measuring disappointment, team investment, recalled preseason expectations, and team identification. Fans reduced investment during the disappointing season. They attended fewer home games, watched fewer televised games, and purchased less team memorabilia. Postseason fan identification was significantly reduced, and fans lower in identification made fewer visits to team web sites, talked less frequently with others about the team, and watched fewer televised games than fans higher in identification. Fans lower in preseason identification had the largest decreases in postseason identification, while those higher in preseason identification increased postseason identification. Results suggest that level of fan identification moderates the impact of a disappointing season on future fan investment and team identification.
ISSN:0162-7341
2641-3477