Awards

• Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2018

Overview

The concept of “fandom” has been revolutionized over the past 20 years because of various technological, cultural, and communicative advancements. Evolution of the Modern Sports Fan: Communicative Approaches explores the elements of the sports fan that have markedly changed since the turn of the century. Inherent within these investigations is the role of communication in a multitude of forms (mediated, relational, etc.) as the prototypical sports fan has most heavily shifted within this domain. From the advent of social media to the rise of fantasy sport to the increased media platforms in which to consume sport, the sports fan has never had more options for consumption—and for the rendering of his/her opinions. This edited volume offers an opportunity to advance what we now know about American sports fandom as well as the ability to debunk what scholars thought they knew about sports fandom that has now shifted.

Full Product Details

9781498546270

Table of Contents

Reviews

Often maligned for being seemingly obsessed, what drives the sports fan and what it means to be one is surprisingly little understood. This new collection of original research edited by Andy Billings and Kenon Brown is an important work that explores the enigma of fandom in new and insightful ways, examining key questions behind the psychology of fanship identification, the challenges of measuring different flavors of fanship, and the complexities that sometimes makes fanship dysfunctional or problematic. -- Lawrence A. Wenner, Loyola Marymount University By providing an understanding of the key foundations of sports fandom and identification, the perceptions and behaviors fans display toward teams and athletes, and how technology and innovations are impacting the contemporary sports fan, Billings and Brown have created an excellent resource for anyone who has an interest in the fascinating, ever-expanding array of behaviors that sports fans exhibit. The readings in this book provide thought provoking concepts and findings that will help drive forward our knowledge of sports fans. -- John S. W. Spinda, Clemson University

Often maligned for being seemingly obsessed, what drives the sports fan and what it means to be one is surprisingly little understood. This new collection of original research edited by Andy Billings and Kenon Brown is an important work that explores the enigma of fandom in new and insightful ways, examining key questions behind the psychology of fanship identification, the challenges of measuring different flavors of fanship, and the complexities that sometimes makes fanship dysfunctional or problematic. -- Lawrence A. Wenner, Loyola Marymount University

Author Information

Andrew C. Billings is Ronald Reagan Chair of Broadcasting and director of the University of Alabama Program in Sports Communication. Kenon A. Brown is assistant professor of public relations at The University of Alabama.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available