As I sat by the pool on my last day in Florida enjoying the sunshine, I thought about the term “bandwagon” in relation to sports. You may ask why lying on a lounge chair catching some rays may inspire me to think of the word “bandwagon.” Well, the pool is not what inspired me.
Taking Home the Trophy
On June 10, 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. For those that do not know what sport produces The Stanley Cup as a trophy, it is ice hockey. Hockey is not the most widely watched sport, except maybe during the winter Olympics. As a matter of fact, the Blackhawks, specifically, have had such a poor record the last few years, home games were not even televised.
Truthfully, as a Chicago native, I do not know many die-hard Blackhawk fans. Chicago has always been more of a baseball / football type town.
Exception: when the Blackhawks are in the finals.
What Does it Mean to Be a Bandwagon Sports Fan?
During the Stanley Cup finals, hockey fans started putting down their Cubs hats to watch the Blackhawks. Some people may refer to these people as “bandwagon fans” due to the sudden interest in hockey. Possibly the right description. What does a bandwagon fan mean?
According to Wikipedia, a bandwagon fan is “a supporter of a sports team only during a period of success.”
Urban Dictionary describes a bandwagon fan as “anyone who claims they are a “fan” of a particular sports team, even though they had no prior support for/interest in the team until that team started winning.”
In the case of the “new” fans of the Blackhawks during the Stanley Cup finals, these definitions do apply. So my next question is, is this a bad thing?
Cheering for Your Home Team While They Are Winning is a GOOD Thing
This is called fan loyalty. There is a “bandwagon” fan and a “loyal” fan. They can be the same person and of the same team. Let me expain.
I am loyal to Chicago. Some people may say that I did not watch the Blackhawks prior to this winning streak. True. However, I did not watch ANY hockey game regularly prior to this. I am just not a hockey fan. Period.
But, I AM a fan of watching my home team string a common thread of excitement, team pride, and camaraderie throughout the city.
I AM a fan of seeing the joy light up the faces of my fellow Chicago friends and family members. I AM a fan of watching the Chicago Blackhawks cheer and hug and even tear up when they win.
How do you think the city of New Orleans felt after they won their very first Superbowl ever? After winning, I am sure it brought goosebumps to a city that has seen devastation to watch Drew Brees tear up while he held his little boy in his arms. I bet some of those people watching were bandwagon fans!
Is cheering for your team when they are in the zone and the end prize is a trophy they have not had in almost 50 years really such a bad thing? The term bandwagon seems to get such a bad rap. People get passionate about it. “He is such a bandwagon fan! Where was he the rest of the year?!?”
This does not mean I jump on the “bandwagon” to any team that is in the finals. It is not about rooting for whichever team is winning. That is another type of bandwagon sports fan. It is about home team spirit and fan loyalty.
Home Team Spirit is a GOOD Thing
How many Detroit Lions fans get excited about watching their football team play anymore? Sure there are probably some loyal fans. But, many of them probably jumped ship and hopped onto the bandwagon of some other team. Or don’t even watch. I bet they would return if he Lions ever had a real shot at the Superbowl. Or even the playoffs for that matter!
The bottom line is we all want out home team to win!
Sure, there are people out there that watch every sport, every game, all year round. Every football, hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf game that happens live on television. So, okay, they may not be bandwagon fans. They are just sports nuts!
Some fans have one or two sports they prefer and watch all of those games.
But, those cities that are just plain loyal to their team and their city will watch and cheer for that team when they are winning. Even if it is only during the finals.
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By the way, I am ALWAYS a Bears fan!