What Sparks Soccer Rivalries in the US? An MLS Fan Study of Rivalry Antecedents

What is it about?

This research explored the genesis of team rivalries in Major League Soccer (MLS), using a league-wide fan survey to measure the importance of 11 rivalry antecedents identified in prior literature. The study also examined which of these elements were associated with negative fan reactions, such as schadenfreude and relationship discrimination. The most important rivalry antecedents contributing to the rivalry perception in MLS were found to be geography (spatial proximity) and frequency of play (consistency). However, the elements that primarily stoked fan animosity were instances of perceived bias, specifically cultural difference and unfairness (discrimination by authority). While perceived cultural differences (such as language or lifestyle) permeate the literature on established global rivalries, the findings here indicate that geographic proximity combined with bias elements are the key triggers for fan hostility in the MLS context.

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Photo by Tareq Ismail on Unsplash

Photo by Tareq Ismail on Unsplash