From a management perspective, our results suggest that greater gains in
sponsorship effectiveness can be made by segmenting the sport spectator
market according to level of team identification. Sponsoring firms may
choose to focus on the highly identified fan due to their propensity for greater
sponsor recognition and higher levels of patronage. Conceptual work (e.g.
Sutton et al., 1997) also suggests that highly identified fans may have greater
price tolerance and be less sensitive to team performance (both positive
qualities from an organization’s perspective). The antecedents of our team
identification model provide guidance for identifying members of this
segment. Recognizing that fans differ in level of involvement can act as a
starting point in the segmentation process. For example, the highly identified
fans in this study were significantly more likely to be male alumni that
belonged to the booster club. They also tended to be older (mean = 36 years)
that those less identified with the team (mean = 29 years). Generalizability of
these specific demographic identifiers beyond the context of this study is not
warranted, however, the findings do suggest that sponsoring organizations
can effectively target highly identified fans. For example, the introduction of
relationship marketing programs such as special events for booster club
members would be appropriate for the fans identified in this study. In other
contexts, more in-depth examination of demographic and geographic factors,
socio-cultural variables, and psychological characteristics should be used to
develop a profile of the fans at different involvement levels. Developing fan
profiles will help sponsors better tailor their efforts to reach these individuals
From a management perspective, our results suggest that greater gains in
sponsorship effectiveness can be made by segmenting the sport spectator
market according to level of team identification. Sponsoring firms may
choose to focus on the highly identified fan due to their propensity for greater
sponsor recognition and higher levels of patronage. Conceptual work (e.g.
Sutton et al., 1997) also suggests that highly identified fans may have greater
price tolerance and be less sensitive to team performance (both positive
qualities from an organization’s perspective). The antecedents of our team
identification model provide guidance for identifying members of this
segment. Recognizing that fans differ in level of involvement can act as a
starting point in the segmentation process. For example, the highly identified
fans in this study were significantly more likely to be male alumni that
belonged to the booster club. They also tended to be older (mean = 36 years)
that those less identified with the team (mean = 29 years). Generalizability of
these specific demographic identifiers beyond the context of this study is not
warranted, however, the findings do suggest that sponsoring organizations
can effectively target highly identified fans. For example, the introduction of
relationship marketing programs such as special events for booster club
members would be appropriate for the fans identified in this study. In other
contexts, more in-depth examination of demographic and geographic factors,
socio-cultural variables, and psychological characteristics should be used to
develop a profile of the fans at different involvement levels. Developing fan
profiles will help sponsors better tailor their efforts to reach these individuals
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