Fandom: From Sports Spectator to True Fan (Essay Sample)

Fandom: From Sports Spectator to True Fan
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University
Fandom: From Sports Spectator to True Fan
Context and Problem/Opportunity
Despite the rampant prestige, commercialism, and the famous status within the global sporting activities, formula one is a surprisingly much-uncelebrated sporting event. Intense fandom in formula one has in most cases been stigmatized. The fans have been associated with obsessive behaviors or rather refusing their affections as merely an attribute to the socio-economic forces that transform the spectators to true fans. There is the existence of a gap in the current identity formation concerning the F1 sports fans. As a BBC F1 organization in the marketing area, I feel that most of the social scientific research has been focused on the effects of fandom, for example, the aggressions and violence experience in some cases. Being an F1 fan comes with its opportunities and chances of having a fan identity that provides a sense of community. Sporting fandom is, therefore, an appropriate venue for identity theories in terms of socialization and other related factors.
Literature Review
There is the existence of a gap between the formations of sports spectators to fans. Unfortunately, the current sociology of F1 literature does not adequately address the creation of fan identity with the real game. An examination of the identity formation of fans with the F1 is beneficial in that it unites two most unrelated literature foundations, namely the formation of identity and the F1 sporting sociology (Jones, 2004). In addition, there is need to stretch the bounds of the identity theory by testing the limits that account for a more comprehensive model.
When a fan identifies him or herself with the F1, just as it is with any group, it becomes beneficial to the individual in that it provides a sense of community. Phillips, 2006 highlighted other different benefits of fandom, such benefits included the development of a diverse and more varied interests, the least skill level required for participation in the sport, and the small cost of becoming a fan. They also noted that fandom brings F1 sporting activities a more diverse member within the society. Such include the very young, the ill, the ancient, and even those who simply do not have the necessary athletic ability required for the participation. Fandom will allow such kinds of individuals to be a part of the game devoid of any special skills (Roberts, 2007).
Such simple disqualifications of how the structure of the society has been reconceptualised within the media and other cultural practices hinder fandom (Miller, 2008). Privileging such individuals either by determining the social, commercial and mediated structures and championing the active fans will play a very significant role in the in turning an F1 spectator to a fan. The formation of attachments by fans to the F1 is attributed to the media objectives that make it possible for the game to matter for individuals that are more specific. In addition, fandom also offers the people with other social benefits such as solidarity, community, and camaraderie. Such enhance the social prestige of the people and raises the self-esteem of those watching the game (Permane, 2006).
Sports fanship can bring people together and provide a very strong feeling of belonging and it is up to the marketing officials to take advantage of such a situation to market the sporting activity. The presence of the social media has now made it easy for different marketing strategies to be used. It is easy for fans to interact with the Formula One stars on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks (Odih, 2007). Many of the F1 stars, therefore, are well aware of what is expected of them and can decide what is appropriate for the fans and the spectators. There are many opinions that the fans are passing across that can be used by the marketing team in improving the face of the F1 sporting activity.
It has become a fanatic way of building up a more decent following of spectators and fans and providing them with the exact content; they deserve. Updating the spectators and even those who are not aware of whatever is happening on the tracks at all the stages increasing the understanding of the game creating more fans out of the spectators. The spectators are well able to know the next moves providing them with the direct access to know what the drivers in the tracks are up to. Creativity is encouraged depending on the various needs of the fans at no cost (Odih, 2007). The time spent on such creativity can turn out to be very rewarding. Cutting of prices too low values attracts a lot more of people to the advantage of the event organizers and the general fandom.
Theory/Model/Framework
In the past centuries, it has been evident that men have been prominent in this game as opposed to the female population. As much as the game does not require any masculine nature, it has been a framework that the men’s F1 was a sign of power and therefore widely watched. The society views men sporting activities as a sign of strength, and the gaming nature of formula one is a more physical game where the drivers are allowed to get more physical with each other to attract more fans. Most of the sporting activities have, therefore, been represented predominantly by the male species and viewed as male identity construction mainstay.
As much as Susie Wolff and Carmen Jorda have landed into the development of the female roles in the formula one, there has not been a female driver into the F1 starting grid for over forty years now. In 1976, a woman driver Lella Lombardi was the last woman to enter and try to qualify for the proceeding events. Turning more females into fans includes involving them actively in the sporting activity such involving forming separate women’s FI Grand Prix. Many questions have been arising whether women have tried to race and failed or are it just because they are not interested or rather not good enough. There are chances many of the women due to various cultural and sociology reasons have gotten no chance to participate in such sporting events (Horn, 2012). There may be no regulations that prevent the equal representation of women in the sporting activities. Women have the ability to be fandom with this era of political correctness, open-mindedness, and women’s right. Being creative to involve women is one of the most significant avenues of increasing the fandom.
Not much has been done in building and maintaining the F1 focused issues. It is important to create a connection with everybody in the community to foster a fan relationship that includes a dynamic team with an organization reputation. Creating a good relationship with the society and communities to provide equal opportunities to everyone is the solution to a dynamic fandom (Kolbe & James, March-April 2000 ).
Recommendations
Most of the Sports marketers who would wish to build the next generation of fans need to create numerous opportunities for parents to spend more time with their children at the team-related activities. It is important to ensure the Grand Prix events are placed at the right place, at the right time for the right prices. It is very simple for the event organizers to create the right events for a targeted group of people. The formula one events need to be located in areas where the population are well informed of what is going on.
The prices being set need to be of direct relation to the value of the fans is getting out of the events. It is important for the sporting organizers to include separate female races like any other sporting activity. Adding different women’s race to the undercard or the Grand Prix weekends provided their teams provide the cars required an opportunity for the F1 to catch up with the rest of the sporting activities (Kolbe & James, March-April 2000 ). A big percentage of ladies are out there aspiring to be racers, but the chances of them getting into the F1 are always going remote day by day. All the women aspiring to race need to be considered and given the opportunity to do that.
The race and sports organizers should also ensure there are linkages and development teams in almost every city in the world. Such team must be well built and ensuring loyalty to one’s team may help many of the fans to be loyal to formula one racing. Such kind of linkages will also help the fans to attribute active and moral characteristics to both their team and their respective cities (Horn, 2012). Linkages will also guarantee and reinforce very strong feelings held about each of the entities. The community of fans in the city can be used to build up ties to the various teams creating liveliness among the fans. The use of emails and other different kinds of sporting and club sponsored internet forums can be used to encourage the fans to discuss among themselves and express their feelings about their racing teams. The team personnel should be able to use this kind of media to gather information on the relevant trends and other issues relating to F1 (Jenkins, 2013).
It is essential for Formula one team to reinvent themselves if they need to survive the current multimedia world and, therefore, to attract a wider fan base. The teams should always struggle to be on the forefront to adapt to the changing demands of the fans. With the decline in F1 audience, watching ...