Factors Affecting Fan Attendance: The Influence of Identity Salience and Satisfaction

Fan-family conflict : an examination of inter-role conflict between sport fan and family roles.

“…Similar findings were also reported by Laverie and Arnett (2000) and Matsuoka et al (2003). Laverie and Arnett observed the combined effects of identification and satisfaction on attendance decisions.…”

“…Previous research investigating fan identification suggests highly identified fans consume greater quantities of sport (i.e., game attendance, merchandise consumption, media consumption) than their lesser identified counterparts (Fisher & Wakefield, 1998;Laverie & Arnett, 2000;Matsuoka et aI., 2003;Wakefield, 1995;Wann & Branscombe, 1993;Wann et aI., 2004). Not only does this suggest highly identified fans spend more money on sport consumptive activities, but such behavior requires devotion of one's time, time which may otherwise be spent attending to family role responsibilities.…”

“…Perceptions of fan-family conflict may be more intense during football season, but from January through September such conflict may be less intense or non-existent. Further, intensity of fan-family conflict may vary based on the team's win/loss record" Granted, several studies have shown highly identified fans continue to support the team regardless of record (Fisher & Wakefield, 1998;Laverie & Arnett, 2000;Matsuoka et aI., 2003;Sutton et aI., 1997), the amount of time devoted to the team or the amount of strain experienced as a result of game outcomes may be lessened if the team is not eligible for the post-season. As such, team success should be considered when generalizing results to other fan bases.…”

“…Results indicated identity salience (fJ = .39) was a more influential factor in predicting fan attendance than game satisfaction (~ = .15). Said differently, as identification with a team increases, satisfaction with game outcome becomes less important to one's re-patronage intentions (Laverie & Arnett, 2000).…”

“…Researchers often focus on fan identification from a marketer's perspective to aid in understanding sport fan consumptive behavior (Fisher & Wakefield, 1998;James & Trail, 2008;Laverie & Arnett, 2000;Matsuoka et al, 2003;Wann & Branscombe, 1993;Wakefield, 1995). Wann and colleagues have also studied fan identification thorough a social scientist's lens; seeking to better understand the indirect social and psychological outcomes related to high levels of identification with an athlete, team, or sport, such as effects on mood state, self esteem, and other affective responses (Branscombe & Wann, 1991;Wann, Inman, et al, 1999;Wann et al, 2005).…”