Integrated Fan Identity

Abstract

While extensive work on team identification have broadened our understanding of sport fans' psychological ties to teams, it has been pointed out that limited and inaccurate use of theoretical perspectives on identity has prevented further investigation of a complex construct. In this review, we explain the concept of identity work and adopted as to understand the developmental nature of sport fans’ identities. Next, we outline the underlying theoretical perspectives for three different identity types (social, role, personal) and how they are represented in team identification studies. Based on the above, we propose a rationale for implementing the conceptual framework of an integrated fan identity, highlighting the reciprocal identity work processes of the social, role, and personal identities of sport fans. Implications for future work are also discussed.