Best of: US sports fan bases
Every sports fan base has unique characteristics that separate them from other franchises. Photo collage by DANIEL PEARSON, Photo Editor
The energy and intensity that a fan base brings to a sports team can often sway the outcome of a game. Pressure can mount immensely on an athlete as they hear the deafening sounds of crowd noise.
Some professional sports franchises go as far as building their stadiums to the advantage of their fans. Take the Seattle Seahawks, for example, who engineered their stadium to amplify crowd noise and create miscommunication among their opponents when they try to call a play.
That’s how important of a role fans can play in any professional game. So what sports franchises have the best fan bases nationally?
Junior business administration major Kincaid Feldman supports both the Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. In particular Feldman is an avid fan of the Seahawks and recalled watching them win the Super Bowl almost a decade ago.
“I’m ride or die for (the Seahawks),” Feldman said. “I was there for the Super Bowl when we won that in 2013. That was just absolutely huge. (I) went to the parade with all the other fans; I skipped school for the parade. Actually, that was pretty lit.”
Feldman talked about the Seahawks and the “12th man” nickname they give to fans to emphasize their support for the 11 Seahawks players on the field. Feldman said these nicknames are used as an effective marketing tool to build fan loyalty.
“The Seahawks have created this brand around the ‘12th man’ where they want to make it so their customers — people buying tickets and watching games — feel like they’re part of the experience,” Feldman said. “And that also just continues to incentivize the fans to go even harder, yell even more and buy more jerseys.”
For the Packers, Feldman mentioned how games sell out even when temperatures fall below zero degrees at Green Bay. But traditions can come about from fan loyalty, Feldman explained, citing how the Packers have a celebration called the Lambeau Leap where players will hop into the crowd after scoring a touchdown.
Warner Rhodes, a sophomore biology major, told The Panther he grew up a Los Angeles Dodgers fan because his grandparents were big fans of the team. Rhodes described the game atmosphere and crowd as lively and energetic.
“I just think the atmosphere in Dodger Stadium is just absolutely electric,” Rhodes said. “Dodger fans are known for showing up a little late (to games), but once they’re there … they bring the energy.”
Los Angeles is home to 12 major league professional sports teams including hockey, baseball, football and basketball. An abundance of professional teams means there is bound to be a wide range of fan support.
Rhodes said even in the times when the Dodgers are having a down year, plenty of individuals will come out and support the team.
“I think that’s the advantage of the LA area, you’re still going to get tons of people no matter who you’re playing or how your team is playing,” Rhodes said. “But obviously these last few years have been pretty good for the (Dodgers) fan base.”
The concept of fan devotion regardless of wins and losses holds the same for the Seahawks, according to Feldman — even after the team traded star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
One factor that ignites a fan base is the existence of rivalries. From the Packers versus the Chicago Bears, to the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Boston Celtics, many sports teams across different major leagues have storied rivalries that stretch back decades.
Another one of these historic rivalries is the one that exists between the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. This matchup brings excitement to fans regardless of the Dodgers’ or Giants’ level of play, Rhodes said.
“Every time Dodgers-Giants are playing, no matter how good either team is at the moment, it’s like a must-watch game,” Rhodes told The Panther. “Playing rival teams just gets fans riled up and ready to play — ready to watch some good baseball.”
The Seahawks share an intense rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers. Feldman said Seattle natives will give opposing fans trouble if they are sporting the red and gold in Seattle.
“Against the 49ers, it’s a big thing in Seattle,” Feldman said. “If you put on some San Francisco gear on a Sunday (in Seattle), everyone around you is just going to be bashing on you for being from S.F. Like, you’ve got to go for the Seahawks; you’re in Seattle right now.”
Celebrities are another aspect that adds to sports competition in terms of hype and excitement around a team. In Los Angeles, Rhodes talked about the various star players from other sports teams that come out to support the Dodgers.
“I know Lebron shows support for the Dodgers,” Rhodes said. “And I think they had Rams night at Dodger Stadium the other night, and football players were just super hyped to be there, and super hyped to support another LA fan base.”
While celebrity hype for a team can add excitement to the fan base, Kincaid said the players themselves also become celebrities if they build a strong enough legacy with the team.
“I think the most successful players eventually just become a celebrity image for themselves,” Feldman said. “If you’re looking right now, Aaron Rodgers — he hosted Jeopardy during 2020. That’s pretty wild.”