Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2020

Publisher

Human Kinetics

Source Publication

International Journal of Sport Communication (IJSC)

Source ISSN

1936-3915

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1123/ijsc.2020-0233

Abstract

With sporting events canceled and Safer at Home orders in place, both athletes and sports fans have a void to fill. Consequently, social media use by both parties has increased. Athletes have become more active and interactive online, which may serve to strengthen parasocial relationships between them and their fans. These connections could develop to the extent that the line between parasocial relation- ship and friendship is blurred. Will stronger ties between athletes and fans be a by-product of COVID-19? In this editorial, the author builds an argument for the plausibility of this result by linking published studies regarding sports fandom and parasocial relationships to current trends in athletes’ use of social media. The author then raises questions regarding the future of sports fandom, which can be assessed once athletics resume. To conclude, the author offers practical recommendations to sports organizations coming out of COVID-19-related suspensions.

Comments

Accepted version. International Journal of Sport Communication (IJSC), Vol. 13, No. 3 (September 2020): 458-464. DOI. © 2020 Human Kinetics. Used with permission.

Lillian Feder was affiliated with University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA at the time of publication.

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