We Love You, We Hate You: Fan Twitter Response to Top College Football Recruits’ Decisions

Using a theoretical underpinning of parasocial interaction—BIRGing (basking in reflected glory) and CORFing (cutting off reflected failure)—this study explored fan reactions to high school athletes’ commitments to play football for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I programs. A them...

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Veröffentlicht in:International journal of sport communication 2021-12, Vol.14 (4), p.530-553
Hauptverfasser: Stamm, Jason, Boatwright, Brandon
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Using a theoretical underpinning of parasocial interaction—BIRGing (basking in reflected glory) and CORFing (cutting off reflected failure)—this study explored fan reactions to high school athletes’ commitments to play football for National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I programs. A thematic analysis of tweets made by fans during the 2020 recruiting period was examined in two stages: (a) tweets directed toward recruits before they committed to a program and (b) tweets directed toward recruits after they committed. Findings show fan frivolity in regard to identification, as well as a desire to become part of the recruiting process of high school football players. In addition, results yield the possibility of a shift in athlete motivations for social media use, fan association with athletics programs, and how fans cope with unexpected loss. Theoretical and practical implications are further discussed.
ISSN:1936-3915
1936-3907
DOI:10.1123/ijsc.2021-0031