An investigation of highly identified fans who bet against their favorite teams

Abstract

Using a mixed-method exploratory approach we describe and explain the seemingly nonnormative behaviors of highly identified fans who Bet Against their Favorite Teams (BAFT). Axial coding of qualitative data from 190 survey respondents and two focus groups indicates the emergence of common themes allowing a typology to unfold that explains the motives for and against BAFTing. Results reveal that Gamblers BAFT for reasons un-related to fandom. Hedgers, on the other hand, BAFT precisely because they are fans; they offset a perceived impending emotional loss with a financial gain, a behavior we identify as Hedging Against Future Failure (HAFFing). This research expands the theoretical knowledge of indirect tactics of image management and introduces HAFFing as a transactional, proactive, and private coping mechanism utilized by highly identified fans to regulate their psychological health. Beyond the implications for researchers of self-image management, these results are applicable to global sport managers adapting to the rising prominence and societal acceptance of sport gambling.

What predicts esports betting? A study on consumption of video games, esports, gambling and demographic factors

“…Somewhat counter-intuitively, the reverse is also true. Some studies have found that fans may bet against their own team in order to lessen the blow of a negative result, a practice known as 'hedging' (Agha and Tyler, 2017). The concept of fandom may be a particularly strong driver for betting in the context of esports due to its robust and vibrant community, also potentially explaining the preference for the use of dedicated esports betting websites (H5), with many of these sites developed from within the community.…”

Conceptualising and measuring fan identity using stakeholder theory

“…Even though previous studies have often referred to team identity and fan identity interchangeably (e.g., Agha & Tyler, 2017;Gwinner & Swanson, 2003), we follow Lock and Heere's (2017) suggestion and conceptually differentiate these concepts by assuming different theoretical backgrounds and associated meanings. As noted by Lock, Funk, Doyle and McDonald (2014), team identification primarily refers to the psychological connection with a team and the emotional value a fan attaches to team support.…”

“…This suggest that fans' perceptions of their power, urgency, external legitimacy and internal legitimacy may vary over time meaning that sport managers should monitor these variables and should not neglect any dimension as they may risk jeopardising sustainable connections with fans. Given that team losses are an unavoidable component of competitive sports that threaten the strength of fans' connections with teams, managers should both monitor and facilitate the maintenance of strong fan identities (Agha & Tyler, 2017). An understanding of how each attribute of fan identity may vary over time could provide sport managers with accurate perspectives on how to shape fan identity and subsequent reactions toward the team.…”

In-Play Betting, Sport Broadcasts, and Gambling Severity: A Survey Study of Spanish Sports Bettors on the Risks of Betting on Sport While Watching It

“…It has been demonstrated in the context of National League Football (NFL) that fans exhibit a durable optimistic bias that makes them more likely to foresee their team winning (Massey, Simmons, & Armor, 2011). On the other hand, some other bettors might want to offset a potential emotional loss by securing at least a financial gain by betting against their own team -what has been called 'hedging against future failure' (Agha & Tyler, 2017). Another source of conflict is the supposedly collective nature of watching sport/betting.…”