Satirical, Philosophical, Non-Exhaustive Views On Sports Fans

Munich, Germany-Bayern Munich

Non-exhaustive philosophical look at different types of sports fans and supporters, not to be confused with athletic supporters, but rather supporters of athletic clubs.

The Homers

This hardcore group of fans or type of fan seems to think that persons that live within a certain metropolitan area are philosophically, morally and ethically obligated to support the local team, no matter how good or bad the club is.

For some within the group it would be an evil and sinful to support an opposing team, and it would be better to support no team, than oppose the home team, even if it is a team that loses more than it wins or never wins championships.

These persons are often irritated in Canada as fans/supporters of the two remaining 1917 original National Hockey League clubs, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs appear in uniforms and gear at the arenas of all Canadian teams.

For many in this group even if it means investing years and years via live games, television, internet and radio into losing with the perpetual hope that the team will win, just because it is the local team; the local team should be loved. That is the philosophy.

Local pride. That is the philosophy.

I do not have major philosophically issues with 'Homers'.

It is basically persons that like to enjoy the sport, the events and support the local team.

Winning, if it happens, is a bonus.

I do have philosophical disagreements with those 'Homers' that reason everyone that lives in their metropolitan area should think like them.

The Bandwagon Fans

This may be a casual group of fans within a certain metropolitan area that usually support the local team when and if it starts winning. 

It could also be hardcore supporters of other clubs that temporarily and/or tentatively offer allegiance to the local club.

Some within both groups may be quite critical of that same local club when it loses.

This group may often irritate the 'Homers'.

I do not have philosophical issues with 'The Bandwagon Fans'. 

There is no obviously moral or ethical obligation to be a hardcore sports fan.

There is no moral or ethical obligation to support a team that loses more than its wins, or does not win championships.

Even if the local metropolitan club.

As far as criticizing a team one does not regularly support, this is not philosophically wrong either, as the critique should be judged by its premise (s) and conclusion.

The Earn My Support Group

This group of supporters may crossover with those in the bandwagon group.

I am in this group, but I do not consider myself a bandwagon fan.

On Facebook, I am listed as a fan/supporter of Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Manchester City, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, all football clubs that have won championships, so they have earned my support.

I can hope that National Hockey League clubs in Canada, for example, start winning championships soon and therefore earn my support, but I am not a bandwagon fan by hoping they win.

Hoping a team wins a championship does not equate with, in my mind, publicly acknowledging oneself as a fan/supporter.

There is a lack of emotional and intellectual commitment, even at a bandwagon level.

I also support multiple teams. That would certainly upset some 'Homers'.

Hoping a club will win also of course does not equate with a strong emotional and intellectual commitment as a 'Homer' would have.

Personally, unlike the 'Homer', and I am not criticizing persons that desire to live this way, I am not interested in spending years of my life, emotionally and intellectually heavily invested into a sports club that is not seriously interested winning to the point of being a perpetual championship contender that wins championships.

Or if they are interested does not have the financial means or intelligence to do so.

Yes, I realize there is a salary cap in the NHL that does not exist in the UEFA and therefore the Canadian hockey clubs are somewhat restricted as far as being able to dominate the game in comparison to the football clubs I mentioned that dominate European and world soccer.

However, there is no excuse for the Toronto Maple Leafs, now reportedly worth around 1 billion US, by far the most valuable hockey franchise in the world, having not won the Stanley Cup since 1967. 

The Vancouver Canucks, in reportedly the third best, per capita, hockey market in the world, also have no excuse for having not won the Stanley Cup having been in the league since 1970.

These are teams I would like to see win, but need to earn my support. Until then I am simply an observer, not a bandwagon fan and certainly in the case of the Canucks not a 'Homer'.

For the teams I actually I support, because the world of football is so large, and limited European football on Canadian television,  I generally watch the UEFA Champions League as opposed to domestic leagues and I views the UEFA European Championships and FIFA World Cups every four years.

There can also be a crossover with the 'Homer' supporters and 'The Earn My Support Group'. These types of fans may publicly acknowledge themselves as fans/supporters but do, to a point, demand excellence from the local club. They will to a point, support the local club by buying tickets, watching games on television and following the team, but will be critical at times.

I am not in this crossover. As noted, I am not interested in supporting with my emotions and intellect an approach where I am not going to likely experience championships.

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