Category Archives: Fandom in Sports

Gabriel Maletta Final Paper

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European Integration and Racial Controversy at Euro 2012

Soccer is often described as the “beautiful game,” captivating people around the world with its simplicity and ability to bring people together. This can be seen from the lowliest back alley pick up game to the worldwide tournaments that attract millions. In many instances however, major soccer events are sought after for reasons beyond an appreciation of the sport.  Hosting a major tournament has become a way for countries to show their best side to the world and to secure political and economic benefits that last after the final game is done.  But soccer has a dark side as well, a history of racial and ethnic intolerance and violence that can show a nation at its worst.  In 2012, Poland and the Ukraine defied expectations and demonstrated that a concerted effort by all participants keeps racism in the shadows. Continue reading →

Soccer: Fighting for a spot at the table PCQ 5

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In his article Buffington reveals the multitude of problems that face soccer in the United States. One of the aspect he touches on briefly is soccer’s ‘newcomer’ status as a sport in America. Buffington argues that America’s sports were already decided and established in the late 19th century. As such soccer did not have the chance to develop and entrench itself as one of America’s key sports. In order for soccer to thrive in America it must compete with these already fiercely beloved sports. Continue reading →

Cole PCQ 1/14/2014 US and Them

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America’s Soccer Identity

In his article, Buffington describes what makes America unique in the area of soccer and defining the idea of a national culture.  One passage that seemed spot on to my thinking about now different nations have different playing styles.

“This involves representing national teams (and their individual members) as having distinctive habits of play, tactical affinities, or skill sets that influence how they perform on the field.”

He also brings up an interesting point about how highly industrialized nations were brought together under a unified sporting culture all around the 1870s and 1930s.  In America though, this was when baseball, basketball, and American football were gaining traction.  By having these three sports all hitting their high points during this time period, it left little room for the growth of soccer from its position as a youth sport your mom drove you to and from.  The idea of a “soccer mom” is an exclusively American idea and helps keep soccer as a youth sport.

Questions:

  • Would soccer be a big time sport here in the US if we did not have basketball or one of the other “American” sports emerging during the 1870s and 1930s?
  • What is an explanation of the growth in popularity soccer is experiencing now in the US?

The US Exception (Seth Browner PCQ 1/14/14)

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US Ambivalence Toward the World Cup and American Nationalism

Soccer has popularly been heralded as the world’s favorite sport. However, that iconic phrase ought to be amended to to exempt the United States. Football enraptures the hearts and zeals of the most of the world, yet that same passion has not taken root in America. This phenomenon is not unexplainable; explanations can be reasoned.

Firstly, one must point to the fact that the US and the rest of the world differ in more than one way than in the world’s countries’ preferences for sports. The United States has a unique system for spelling certain English words. The language written in United Kingdom, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa, adhere to the British spelling. Additionally, the US has a distinct system of weights and measures. I believe I am correct in saying that we solely use miles over kilometers and Fahrenheit over Celsius. It is unsurprising that Americans’ athletic appetites differ from that of Europeans, Africans, and South Americans.

Of course, this is very general. One must acknowledge the steps soccer has taken towards popularity in the US. The sport is becoming more watched, particularly by young people in the young adult and adolescent age group. Many individuals in this bracket follow soccer more closely than they do any other sport. This rise is partly due to easier access through widespread television usage. More importantly, the smartphone and internet craze accelerates football’s ascension into sports pandemonium. The iPhone allows for connections to sports non-stop. Worthy of note, this germinal craze is among young adults. As this generation matures, soccer will be carried through to older age groups; the probability of its adoption among another generation of Americans is high with this discussed trend. I predict that this phenomenon will occur.

Sports are emotionally riveting for their tendency to arouse two human attributes: solidarity and attachment. The enormous level of expressionism in sports in public spaces leads many to form collectivist associations. These associations are based on shared feelings and common zeals. Media plays a role in forming these bonds of “interpersonal interaction.” This sociological observation is keen. Within human nature, there is an inherent instinct to cluster. I argue that this drive is rooted in a need to be secure and a desire for affirmation of one’s convictions. The desire for affirmation builds confidence in oneself and one’s judgment.

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TIFO 4: Racism Fears at EURO2012 Part 2

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This TIFO continues the theme from my last TIFO about racism fears leading up to the Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine. Several weeks before the events the BBC released a short documentary highlighting racist and Neo-Nazi fans from several Polish and Ukraine teams. The documentary questions what will happen when British and European fans, many of whom are non-white, will enter Polish and Ukrainian stadiums.

Fandom, Nationalism, Globalization and Soccer, by Mac Daly

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In the definitions packet we received I noticed a link between two sections. Under Nation and Nationalism, on page 16 the author writes

“Among the Jews of the Old Testament and among the ancient Greeks we find the sence of belonging to a distinct people marked off from the rest of the world by special characteristics – an embryonic sense of national superiority”

Later on page 31 under Nationalism and Sport the author writes

“The desire, particularly on the part of fans, to express their national identity in the relm of sport is clearly linked to nationalism in the broadest sense or, at the very least, to patriotism”

Together these definitions explain fandom, especially on the national level. People feel that their nationality is superior and they look to sport to prove it.

In the 2nd article we read, a major point Ithought was interesting was the fact that the EPL has been on television in 211 nations. That is tremendous, I can’t think of any other thing that would be on so many televisions. It shows how important soccer is to so many people and how big of a market their is for the sport both in terms of fandom but also strictly business.

Something the essay doesn’t touch on to much is foreign investment in the EPL. While it does say many players come from outside England it doesn’t really dive deep into the surprising about of teams who are not owned by Brits. This is important to my topic of American’a making money in soccer.