The Relationship between Team Identification and Loyalty in Professional Sports

Authors

  • Pantelis Nassis Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Athens
  • Nicholas D. Theodorakis Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Symeon P. Vlachopoulos Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Yannis Afthinos Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Keywords:

fan identification, behavioral loyalty, fan behavior

Abstract

The present study, based on social identity theory, examined the relationship between fan identification and loyalty in prodessional sports. 128 Greek university students participated in the study. Linear regression analyses showed that team identification predicted to a considerable extent various important fan behaviors: (a) the number of games of their favorite team attended in the last season, (b) the number of years fans follow their favorite team and (c) the frequency fans follow their favorite team trough television / radio / newspapers. Overall, the study’s results provided evidence of the importance of team identification in predicting fans’ behavioral loyalty.

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Published

2007-12-31

How to Cite

Nassis Π., Theodorakis Ν. Δ., Vlachopoulos Σ. Π., & Afthinos Γ. (2007). The Relationship between Team Identification and Loyalty in Professional Sports. Inquiries in Physical Education and Sport, 5(3), 396–404. Retrieved from https://journals.lib.uth.gr/index.php/inquiries/article/view/1217

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2007)

Section

Articles