Identifying Bandwagon Fans Within the sports community, there is a fierce amount of

loyalty when it comes to specific teams. Fans tend to pick

a team to support in their early years, and then stay loyal

to the team for their entire life.

Because of this, many people are hypersensitive to and

especially aware of people who appear to be bandwagon

fans. A bandwagon fan is someone who only likes a

specific team because they’re doing well in a particular

season or they won a championship or bowl game.

Loyalty Loyal fans of sports team can become very defensive and rude when interacting with people they

perceive to be bandwagon fans. They perceive bandwagon fans to be disloyal and fake.

If you aren’t sure if someone is a bandwagon fan or not, there are a few simple ways that you can tell.

Make sure you know who the best teams are currently in each sport.

For example, let’s say the Arizona State Sun Devils are doing really well in basketball. If you are

wondering if someone who is decked out in Arizona State apparel is really a fan of them or not, ask them

who their favorite team is.

Chances are that they’re likely to say Arizona State. The next step is to ask them why Arizona State is

their favorite team.

A True Fan If they can come up with solid reasons why Arizona State is their favorite team, like statistics, plays, or

strategies, odds are that they’re a true fan. But if they can only say vague comments about the team

being awesome or really good, then

chances are they’re a bandwagon fan.

If you find out someone is a bandwagon

fan, try not to be too hard on them. They

just want to be accepted and to love

sports just like everyone else.

Another way to tell if someone is a

bandwagon fan is to check out their gear.

If their Arizona State apparel seems brand

new, it is likely that they are a bandwagon fan.

A fan who has been with a team for awhile will most likely have gear that is more worn in, used, and

loved. This is not a foolproof way of telling a bandwagon fan from a loyal fan, so it is important that you

be careful with this step.

Mirror of Their Team It is also important to recognize how loyal a fan

is in regards to how well the team is doing. If a

fan stands by their time through thick and thin,

through good times and bad, then they’re

probably a real fan.

But if the fan only likes a team when they’re

doing well, this is a big clue to you that they’re

probably not a real fan. Another way to tell if

someone is a bandwagon fan is to ask them if

they’re a bandwagon fan in a very

straightforward manner.

If they become very defensive and rude, they’re probably a bandwagon fan. If they don’t really care

what you’re saying and are confident in being a fan of their team, then they are probably a real fan.

If you are a sports fan who is overly concerned about whether or not someone is a real fan, then follow

these steps to find out the truth.

Photo Credit: Stéfan, Kevin Dooley, Tony Fischer Photography