What is a true fan?

Born & raised in Philly. Been an Eagles fan since the Buddy Ryan days. Watched Jerome Brown, the Fog Bowl, Reggie White, Randall Cunningham. Watched all the games when Dallas used to crap on us. My love for them never wavered. Watched every game during the 3-13 season. Cried like a baby after they lost to Carolina in 2003.

As for baseball, it's the same thing with the Phillies. Loved them always. Last year was the first time they were in the playoffs since I was very young. But sticking with them through the good & bad made it that much sweeter when they won the division.

As for basketball, my dad is from Los Angeles. He's a Lakers fan. Been watching the Lakers since I was a child. My dad would take me to the games when they came to Philly. My love for the Lakers came through my father. Call me fair weather or whatever but I love the Lakers. Never rooted for the SIxers never will.

Now I live in western pennsylvania(Near Pittsburgh) But I still wear all my Eagles gear with pride.

Come on, Manningbowl, you know I don't feel that way. Do I love the Lakers and Clippers, Dodgers and Angels, and Kings and Ducks? Of course not. There is a certain area assigned to each team. In my case, I root for the true LA teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings). It's very simple, really. I can't understand why you guys are so confused.murlow12

The Dodgers are from New York

Plus what about North Carolina and Duke? Less then 8 miles are between the two of them.

[QUOTE="murlow12"] Come on, Manningbowl, you know I don't feel that way. Do I love the Lakers and Clippers, Dodgers and Angels, and Kings and Ducks? Of course not. There is a certain area assigned to each team. In my case, I root for the true LA teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings). It's very simple, really. I can't understand why you guys are so confused.Jaysonguy

The Dodgers are from New York

Plus what about North Carolina and Duke? Less then 8 miles are between the two of them.

The Dodgers are from Brooklyn, NY originally, but they've been in L.A. for quite a while...

You serious, your just going to switch teams just like that. If you were really a true fan of the 76ers and the Eagles, you would stick with them. A true fan doesn't mean you have to like your hometown teams. If those 2 teams were the first teams you watched and liked you should stick with them.

I live in New York, but I'm a Lakers fan. I love the Lakers and they are on the other side if the country. My friend was the reason I got into basketball and he was a Lakers fan. Don't even call me a bandwagon fan or a front-runner b/c I started to watch basketball the season after Shaq got traded(the year they sucked and didn't make the playoffs).

skhan91

Ha, no i'm not going to switch. I love the Sixers and the Eagles since 2001, through the good and the bad. Sixers have been doing pretty bad the past few seasons, still haven't abandoned them. We'll get our break eventually, and i'll feel good knowing I didn't have to jump on the bandwagon. As for the Eagles, if they could somehow get Chad Johnson, I predict a championship in two years, maybe even this season. Our only problem is offense, a healthy dose of Ocho Cinco would fix that.

I've just had people tell me i'm not a true fan, wanted a reason which is why I made this thread.

I'm going to be a Sixer and Eagle fan til I die. 8)

the rooting for a hometeam team thing is stupid

I live in WV we have no hometown team, unless it's the mountaineers, and I went to marshall so that's my hometown team

but growing up the only other team that would be considered home town would be the REDS I root for them but my other faves are the DALLAS COWBOYS, grew up watching them with my dad, The PHOENIX SUNS, was a barkley fan as a kid , so I stuck with them and the DALLAS STARS, like thed north stars cuz we don;t have hockey I liked their jerseys so that was the team I picked and I stayed with them

so what are people with no hometown team supposed to do?

I sure as heck aren't rooting for no pittsburg team thats for sure, I hate that place, the other teams close by I could care less

Your a true fan when you stick with your team originally through the best and WORST times, don't jump the wagon for whoever is winning stick with your team you've always liked thats a true fan

the rooting for a hometeam team thing is stupid

I live in WV we have no hometown team, unless it's the mountaineers, and I went to marshall so that's my hometown team

but growing up the only other team that would be considered home town would be the REDS I root for them but my other faves are the DALLAS COWBOYS, grew up watching them with my dad, The PHOENIX SUNS, was a barkley fan as a kid , so I stuck with them and the DALLAS STARS, like thed north stars cuz we don;t have hockey I liked their jerseys so that was the team I picked and I stayed with them

so what are people with no hometown team supposed to do?

I sure as heck aren't rooting for no pittsburg team thats for sure, I hate that place, the other teams close by I could care less

Your a true fan when you stick with your team originally through the best and WORST times, don't jump the wagon for whoever is winning stick with your team you've always liked thats a true fan

SegArgyle

Come on, Manningbowl, you know I don't feel that way. Do I love the Lakers and Clippers, Dodgers and Angels, and Kings and Ducks? Of course not. There is a certain area assigned to each team. In my case, I root for the true LA teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings). It's very simple, really. I can't understand why you guys are so confused.murlow12

But according to you're profile, you're from San Diego. The Clippers started out in San Diego before moving to LA, yet you're a Laker fan. The Lakers started out in Minneapolis. By you're logic, it looks like you aren't a "true" Lakers fan.

[QUOTE="murlow12"][QUOTE="RobEsp"]

Well thanks for clearing things up. Now I know i'm not a real fan until I root for all NY teams.

So, would it be ok if I became a Jets and Knicks fan? I wouldn't become a Giants fan because they just won the SB and I don't want to be considered a bandwagoner.

RobEsp

However, I just want to clear one thing up. Do people in NY just randomly pick which NY team is their favorite? I thought it was by region. If it is by regoin, then you should follow the team that is closest to where you live.

I live in Nassau. From what i've heard, Nassau and Suffolk residents should be Jets fans, the five boroughs are for the Giants.

If I watched hockey (I would, just never know when its on) then Islanders are more for Nassau and Suffolk, Rangers are for the boroughs.

I'm from Nassau County, and I like the Yankees, Rangers, Giants and Knicks.

Wouldn't be caught DEAD rooting for the Mets or the Piles. Jets I'll root for sometimes, but for the most part, could care less about.

Just root for who you like bro, don't let any of the people on here forcing you to root for teams that you don't like.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="murlow12"] Come on, Manningbowl, you know I don't feel that way. Do I love the Lakers and Clippers, Dodgers and Angels, and Kings and Ducks? Of course not. There is a certain area assigned to each team. In my case, I root for the true LA teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings). It's very simple, really. I can't understand why you guys are so confused.B05T0N

The Dodgers are from New York

Plus what about North Carolina and Duke? Less then 8 miles are between the two of them.

The Dodgers are from Brooklyn, NY originally, but they've been in L.A. for quite a while...

[QUOTE="SegArgyle"]

the rooting for a hometeam team thing is stupid

I live in WV we have no hometown team, unless it's the mountaineers, and I went to marshall so that's my hometown team

but growing up the only other team that would be considered home town would be the REDS I root for them but my other faves are the DALLAS COWBOYS, grew up watching them with my dad, The PHOENIX SUNS, was a barkley fan as a kid , so I stuck with them and the DALLAS STARS, like thed north stars cuz we don;t have hockey I liked their jerseys so that was the team I picked and I stayed with them

so what are people with no hometown team supposed to do?

I sure as heck aren't rooting for no pittsburg team thats for sure, I hate that place, the other teams close by I could care less

Your a true fan when you stick with your team originally through the best and WORST times, don't jump the wagon for whoever is winning stick with your team you've always liked thats a true fan

UssjTrunks

[QUOTE="murlow12"] Come on, Manningbowl, you know I don't feel that way. Do I love the Lakers and Clippers, Dodgers and Angels, and Kings and Ducks? Of course not. There is a certain area assigned to each team. In my case, I root for the true LA teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings). It's very simple, really. I can't understand why you guys are so confused.KoFoNiO

But according to you're profile, you're from San Diego. The Clippers started out in San Diego before moving to LA, yet you're a Laker fan. The Lakers started out in Minneapolis. By you're logic, it looks like you aren't a "true" Lakers fan.

Definition of a true fan:

1. They are from your home town

or

2. Your Dad (or Mom) has been rooting for them before you were born and bred you to be a fan as well.

or

3. You stay with your team even in bad times (that pretty much eliminates all Patriot fans since you guys jumped on the bandwagon when the Patriots started winning championships).

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

[QUOTE="UssjTrunks"][QUOTE="SegArgyle"]

the rooting for a hometeam team thing is stupid

I live in WV we have no hometown team, unless it's the mountaineers, and I went to marshall so that's my hometown team

but growing up the only other team that would be considered home town would be the REDS I root for them but my other faves are the DALLAS COWBOYS, grew up watching them with my dad, The PHOENIX SUNS, was a barkley fan as a kid , so I stuck with them and the DALLAS STARS, like thed north stars cuz we don;t have hockey I liked their jerseys so that was the team I picked and I stayed with them

so what are people with no hometown team supposed to do?

I sure as heck aren't rooting for no pittsburg team thats for sure, I hate that place, the other teams close by I could care less

Your a true fan when you stick with your team originally through the best and WORST times, don't jump the wagon for whoever is winning stick with your team you've always liked thats a true fan

murlow12

you have no clue what it is to be a fan, there is no rule other in your head that you need to root for a team that's close by, I grew up HATING most of the teams close by except the bengals and browns , but I GREW UP watching the cowboys, my dad watched them when he was younger, he lived in dallas for a short time, so he liked them and I followed what he did, same with the reds now they are close by but thats fine, hockey, no one here is really into hockey if they are they just picked a team and basketball I was a barkley fan so when he left the sixers so did I, and I remain a suns fan

you don't have to like a hometown team no where is there a rule book stating you do, now please get over it and deal with it

[QUOTE="UssjTrunks"][QUOTE="SegArgyle"]

the rooting for a hometeam team thing is stupid

I live in WV we have no hometown team, unless it's the mountaineers, and I went to marshall so that's my hometown team

but growing up the only other team that would be considered home town would be the REDS I root for them but my other faves are the DALLAS COWBOYS, grew up watching them with my dad, The PHOENIX SUNS, was a barkley fan as a kid , so I stuck with them and the DALLAS STARS, like thed north stars cuz we don;t have hockey I liked their jerseys so that was the team I picked and I stayed with them

so what are people with no hometown team supposed to do?

I sure as heck aren't rooting for no pittsburg team thats for sure, I hate that place, the other teams close by I could care less

Your a true fan when you stick with your team originally through the best and WORST times, don't jump the wagon for whoever is winning stick with your team you've always liked thats a true fan

murlow12

and who are u to tell people who they should root for, it dosent matter if it makes sense or not to root for whoever, not everyone in newyork likes the yankees, but they do have other teams, but I happen to know alot of people in new york who like the dallas cowboys, and people do move, you think they are gonna switch allegiances just because they live in another city, god have mercy get a clue

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

murlow12

Because they play in that city :|

I don't care if a team plays in my city. If I don't like them, I won't root for them. Just b/c they're in my city doesn't mean I'm forced to watch and root for a team I don't want.

Also this will never be over. Let's just agree to disagree. I'll root for my teams and you root for yours. You think of me as not a true fan or whatever, but not force that view and I'll shut up too. Deal?

[QUOTE="murlow12"]

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

manningbowl135

Because they play in that city :|

I have to say this is one of my favorite threads ever.

There's so many viewpoints in here and they're all very strong, no one is on the fence here. It's their way or the highway.

Almost like rooting for a team:D

[QUOTE="manningbowl135"][QUOTE="murlow12"]

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

murlow12

Because they play in that city :|

What? They can play in my city all they want. If I don't like them, I won't root for them.

Either way, this arguement will never go anywhere. I'll keep rooting for the teams I want and have fun doing so. Everyone else will do the same. So I'm out.

[QUOTE="manningbowl135"][QUOTE="murlow12"]

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

murlow12

Because they play in that city :|

Your way thinking makes no sense. Sports teams don't care who is a "true" fan and who isn't, they don't care if they have fans who live in their city or fans of other cities, all they care about is winning and generating revenue. What have the Chargers, Dodgers, Lakers, and any of your favorite teams personally done for you? Nothing. They dont give a damn if they have fans outside of their city, so you shouldn't either. It's just a big waste of time for someone like you who doesn't know what a true definition of a fan is to tell other people which teams they should root for.

I live in NY but the Eagles have been my only team since I started watching football. Does that make me a bandwagoner, no because I stuck with them even in the bad times. The Giants/Jets play in NJ anyway, so what you would say is that everyone living in NY isn't a "true" Giants or Jets fan.

It wasn't my choice to be born in NY, but it happened. I (or anyone else) shouldn't get scrutinized for not liking a NY team, because it's a big waste of time to do that. Just root for the team(s) you like, and a true fan will be a fan of that team even when they really suck.

[QUOTE="murlow12"][QUOTE="manningbowl135"][QUOTE="murlow12"]

For everyone that doesn't think you should root for your hometown team:

Why do they even associate themselves with cities? Why does every team's name start with the city in which they play?

KoFoNiO

Because they play in that city :|

Your way thinking makes no sense. Sports teams don't care who is a "true" fan and who isn't, they don't care if they have fans who live in their city or fans of other cities, all they care about is winning and generating revenue. What have the Chargers, Dodgers, Lakers, and any of your favorite teams personally done for you? Nothing. They dont give a damn if they have fans outside of their city, so you shouldn't either. It's just a big waste of time for someone like you who doesn't know what a true definition of a fan is to tell other people which teams they should root for.

As for what they have personally done for me, that question in itself shows that you aren't a true sports fan. My teams have done as much for me as any form of entertainment has ever done for anyone. They have brought me tears, cheers, and everything inbetween. I am emotionally invested, and as such I have ups and downs with the teams. Not to mention the community work that I spoke about earlier.

And again, your argument doesn't surprise me b/c you don't support your local teams. I'm still waiting to hear a "true" fan disagree with my points.

As a side note, you might rebut with the fact that they also want people around the country buying their merchandise b/c it generates revenue. However, merchandise is a tiny portion of a team's revenue. Also, most of the profit from merchandise goes to the league itself, as well as the manufacturer, not the individual team. The vast majority is ticket and concession sales at a game, which only the local fans are supporting. So yes, teams want local fans. They couldn't care less about "the rest" of you supposed fans.murlow12

No I know for a fact this is bull

Teams get the most money from fans that NEVER attend a single game. All the money in major sports (MLB, NBA, and NFL) come from contracts that somehow get their team on a nationwide level.

This is one place that you couldn't be more wrong.

Murlow: I have a question for you.

What do you see as a better fan: A person who lives in the city a team is located, but only ever cares when they are winning?
Or a person who lives elsewhere, has been a fan for many years, and continues to do so through the good and the bad?

Personally, I would rather see someone that's a loyal, diehard fan, yet not from the same area, than a fair weather fan who is from the same city as the team.

Murlow: I have a question for you.

What do you see as a better fan: A person who lives in the city a team is located, but only ever cares when they are winning?
Or a person who lives elsewhere, has been a fan for many years, and continues to do so through the good and the bad?

Personally, I would rather see someone that's a loyal, diehard fan, yet not from the same area, than a fair weather fan who is from the same city as the team.

Zero-Pirate

[QUOTE="murlow12"]As a side note, you might rebut with the fact that they also want people around the country buying their merchandise b/c it generates revenue. However, merchandise is a tiny portion of a team's revenue. Also, most of the profit from merchandise goes to the league itself, as well as the manufacturer, not the individual team. The vast majority is ticket and concession sales at a game, which only the local fans are supporting. So yes, teams want local fans. They couldn't care less about "the rest" of you supposed fans.roulettethedog

Ummm this is crap. They want fans all over the world, so that they will buy stuff and come to town to see their games. Teams get a bigger profit off of merchandise then you claim. The Maple Leafs send me catalogs twice a year pushing their stuff, and I do not even live in Canada.

As for the argument about how much money actually goes to a team from merchandise, it's really moot until we get some numbers. I don't have time to do that now, but I'll try to search the web later today and see if I can get some facts.

[QUOTE="murlow12"]As a side note, you might rebut with the fact that they also want people around the country buying their merchandise b/c it generates revenue. However, merchandise is a tiny portion of a team's revenue. Also, most of the profit from merchandise goes to the league itself, as well as the manufacturer, not the individual team. The vast majority is ticket and concession sales at a game, which only the local fans are supporting. So yes, teams want local fans. They couldn't care less about "the rest" of you supposed fans.Jaysonguy

No I know for a fact this is bull

Teams get the most money from fans that NEVER attend a single game. All the money in major sports (MLB, NBA, and NFL) come from contracts that somehow get their team on a nationwide level.

This is one place that you couldn't be more wrong.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="murlow12"]As a side note, you might rebut with the fact that they also want people around the country buying their merchandise b/c it generates revenue. However, merchandise is a tiny portion of a team's revenue. Also, most of the profit from merchandise goes to the league itself, as well as the manufacturer, not the individual team. The vast majority is ticket and concession sales at a game, which only the local fans are supporting. So yes, teams want local fans. They couldn't care less about "the rest" of you supposed fans.murlow12

No I know for a fact this is bull

Teams get the most money from fans that NEVER attend a single game. All the money in major sports (MLB, NBA, and NFL) come from contracts that somehow get their team on a nationwide level.

This is one place that you couldn't be more wrong.

Everything from that to giving away the naming rights to a stadium

Fans that attend the games are becoming obsolete. A team doesn't need them anymore to help pay for things. Know what they're most used for now? A measuring stick in the collective bargaining contract with the NFL trying to shut down the teams with older stadiums. They're pawns.

Why do you think all the stadiums used exclusively for one team is so small?

Do you think the Pats could only make a stadium a little more then half the size of Ralph Wilson? Don't you think that there's 10 times as many people who want to see the Pats over the Bills?

The Pats did it to make sure they have more control in the NFL as a whole.

They don't need the hometown fans to attend the games to get revenue anymore, they haven't for a while now.

[QUOTE="Zero-Pirate"]

Murlow: I have a question for you.

What do you see as a better fan: A person who lives in the city a team is located, but only ever cares when they are winning?
Or a person who lives elsewhere, has been a fan for many years, and continues to do so through the good and the bad?

Personally, I would rather see someone that's a loyal, diehard fan, yet not from the same area, than a fair weather fan who is from the same city as the team.

murlow12

I was just curious as to which one you see as better, not which one is a "true fan." Because according to your definition of a "true fan" I see a fair weather fan as closer to a true fan than a loyal fan who lives elsewhere. Whereas I think a fair weather fan should considered as far from a "true fan" as possible.

[QUOTE="murlow12"][QUOTE="Zero-Pirate"]

Murlow: I have a question for you.

What do you see as a better fan: A person who lives in the city a team is located, but only ever cares when they are winning?
Or a person who lives elsewhere, has been a fan for many years, and continues to do so through the good and the bad?

Personally, I would rather see someone that's a loyal, diehard fan, yet not from the same area, than a fair weather fan who is from the same city as the team.

Zero-Pirate

I was just curious as to which one you see as better, not which one is a "true fan." Because according to your definition of a "true fan" I see a fair weather fan as closer to a true fan than a loyal fan who lives elsewhere. Whereas I think a fair weather fan should considered as far from a "true fan" as possible.

Well my town "Chilliwack" Is about an hour away from vancouver since there the only team close enough to me thats in the NHL. Plus my dad lives there but anyways, I think a truefan should know atleast SOME info on the players, also to watch the games of course and know what they got on there last game (in my opinionShinoadr

One of the best names EVER.

bottom line: if you like or love your team, regardless of where you live and where the team is located, and you don't jump ship just because of a bad loss or bad season, then your a fan. I've lived in North Carolina and been a Pats fan for years. i've never lived or even been 2 boston, and yet i root for them if they're 18-1 or 8-8 like they were in 2002, and don't get started about the bad years during the early-mid 90s. a fan is a fan no matter what