Back to Search Start Over

Team Identity and Environmentalism: The Case of Forest Green Rovers.

Authors :
Delia, Elizabeth B.
McCullough, Brian P.
Dalal, Keegan
Source :
Journal of Sport Management. Sep2024, Vol. 38 Issue 5, p353-364. 12p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Despite consumer concern over climate change, research on environmental issues and sport fandom has focused more on organizational outcomes than on fans themselves. Recognizing fandom can be representative of social movements, and social identity and collective action are utilized in an intrinsic case study of Forest Green Rovers football club supporters (who also identify with environmentalism) to understand the extent to which the club represents a social movement, and whether Forest Green Rovers' sustainability efforts encourage pro-environment actions. Through interview research, we found supporters' team and environmental identities cooperate synergistically. Forest Green Rovers is not just representative of environmentalism but has become a politicized identity itself—a means to act for change on environmental issues. We discuss implications concerning identity synergy, team identity as a politicized identity, perceptions of success, collective action, and cognitive alternatives to the status quo. We conclude by noting the unavoidable inseparability of environmental issues and sport consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08884773
Volume :
38
Issue :
5
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Sport Management
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179020489
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2023-0269