SOCİAL IDENDİTY OF THE FANS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON FENERBAHÇE AND PANATHİNAİKOS FAN GROUPS

Abstract

Abstract

Sports, which has become an indispensable part of daily life, has started to take an important place in people's lives. Besides sports fans who consider sports competitions only as a hobby, there are also fans who see it as a way of life. In this study, how Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos fans evaluate themselves as fans and their social identities were investigated. In both clubs, basketball fans are preferred. The reason for this is that both clubs have a long history in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. However, it is the similarities of the cultural and social life of the two neighboring countries. In total, 11 questions were asked to 500 basketball fans, and their loyalty to their team, their demographic structure and the channels they supported their teams were examined. It turns out that basketball fans have recently started to find a new identity for themselves, especially in Europe, and they have formed a fan base independent of football fans. It is seen that the fans define their social identities not only with their teams, but also with the quality of the sport and the event. The supporters of both teams stated that they are proud to be mentioned with the group they are a member of, as well as being remembered for the sport they follow.