The Playoffs: Why Bandwagon Fans Don't Bother Me

Bandwagon fans, for anyone who is unfamiliar, are fans that come out of the woodwork during playoffs, when a team is on a winning streak, or the season after they win a championship. This group unfortunately does not go over well with the regular crowd.

I have been a hockey fan for the last six years, and I'm a little bit of a baseball fan. Many of my fellow fans do not like bandwagon fans. They complain about how they lack real knowledge of the game, only come out when the team is winning, and take away tickets from so called true or real fans. While I understand the frustration, I respectfully disagree. Here's why:

If it is someone's first time at a game, you cannot expect them to have full knowledge of the sport. Think about it: did you understand everything about hockey or football the first time you watched it? No. Did you learn the rules over time, and enough so to consider yourself knowledgeable? Sure. Give first timers a break and if they have a question or get their facts mixed up, don't laugh in their face. Help them out.

New fans bring in money for the team. Even if they are just showing up for a bobblehead doll, they still have to have aticket to get in. When more people buy them, it equals a bigger profit. They could even become season ticket holders in the future. The more money a team has, the more they can do special things for their fans and remain in the area instead of relocating.

Everyone wants to see a winning team. Look at the Washington Capitals, for example. When they were on a Stanley Cup run a few years ago, people packed the arena even with the Redskins (NFL) and Wizards (NBA) in the same city. Now they are struggling and opposing teams' fans can travel to D.C. and take over the building. If a team were constantly losing, who would want to come out? It's only natural for people to cheer on winners and those who capture championships. True fans may come even when the last ten games have ended in losses, but even they admit how frustrating it gets.

Professional sports will always be there. Everyday, someone will see a game on TV or go to a stadium for the first time. Sports have become such a huge part of our culture that they will never stop growing. Retailers will cash in on merchandise sales, kids will find athletes to look up to, and someone will become fascinated with game action. With so many media forms devoted to sports, we are exposed to them everyday. It's almost certain that a team will gain more fans every year.

Bandwagon fans are not a group that true fans should rag on. Besides, if they were real fans, they wouldn't harass those who only come out to the game every once in awhile. So if you're new to a sport, don't worry about a thing. Just pick up some game knowledge and get to know the team and you'll fit in just fine.