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sports 25
Volume 103, Issue 26
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Sports’ foulest fairweather fans York Giants — including crushing New England’s attempt at a perfect season back in ‘07 — is consolation enough for this Bills fan.
Sports Staff Atta Almasi
group commentary
For die-hard fans of any sport, there may not be anything more infuriating than a fairweather fanbase full of bandwagon jumpers. Those fans who never rooted for their new favourite team when that squad was in the bottom-feeding doldrums of their league, but suddenly bought all the official merchandise as soon as a star player was signed and led the team to more wins. They’re represented by the people you see in your class wearing a Yankees cap, whose favourite teams include the Blackhawks and the Heat. But which franchise’s fanbase is the most despicably fair weathered?
Cameron Lewis When it comes to bandwagon riders, nobody draws them better than the National Football League’s New England Patriots. With five Super Bowl appearances over the last decade, including three championship victories, the Patriots seem to draw fairweather fans like porch lights attract moths. Though many will tell you it was Adam Vinatieri’s last-second, game-clinching field goal in Super Bowl XXXVI that made them true believers, Pats converts are unique among sports fans in that they continue to be rewarded with playoff appearances and championships despite their very short-term loyalty to the team. As a divisional rival Buffalo Bills fan, this especially sucks, since it’s the bandwagon-riding Pats fans who get to celebrate year after year after year, while loyal Bills fans like myself have to suffer, knowing that the Bills are the NFL’s only franchise to not make the playoffs in the 21st century. But two Super Bowl slayings of the Patriots by a fellow New York state-based football club in the New
After years of failed rebuilds and consistent mediocrity, the Chicago Blackhawks have become the powerhouse of the NHL, putting together an amazing 24-game undefeated (in regulation) streak to begin the 2013 mini-season. This is a great time for Chicago Blackhawks fans. They enjoyed their team’s first Stanley Cup victory in almost 50 years back in 2010, and they’re now watching what could be the rise of the next NHL dynasty. But who can rightfully consider themselves a true Blackhawks fan? Not many, considering they have probably the heaviest bandwagon in the NHL today. According to the NHL, Chicago has one of the best fanbases in the NHL. They fill up the Madhouse on Madison every game and create arguably the best atmosphere in the league, but this certainly hasn’t been the case in the past. Between 2000 and 2007, Chicago ranked towards the bottom in the NHL in average attendance. Coincidentally, these were the years the Blackhawks also finished at the bottom of the league in the standings. Where were all the fans then? This is the same story with two other teams who apparently also have amazing fans: the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. The Pens and Caps rose up from the basement of the NHL after drafting generation talents Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The fans pack their stadiums now, but where were they before these guys were drafted? For some reason, I have a hard time believing a person wearing a Patrick Kane jersey is a loyal Blackhawks fan who toughed out the team’s dark days over the past decade. They may sell out their home games now, but this fanbase
is far from being the best or most loyal in the NHL. They’re largely just fairweather fans who have jumped at the opportunity to cheer for a winning team.
Nicola Flynn The Edmonton Oilers have by far the worst bandwagon fans. I can say this honestly because I am one. I will tell people that I hate hockey, but I always — okay, usually — watch the Oilers when they make the playoffs. Just the other day I attempted to watch a regular season game and fell asleep about seven minutes in. I woke up just to see the Oilers win in third period, 6–5, with three minutes left. And it was the best regular season hockey game I’ve ever watched. It’s easy to get away with being a bandwagon fan for the Oilers because the hardcore fans always know what’s going on. I even find that sometimes it’s better have followed the games, because these fans love to hear themselves tell you about every play. I wonder if it’s just me, but if I haven’t watched a single game all year, it’s likely due to the simple fact that I’m not actually interested. Playoff games are only on my radar so I have some clue as to what every post and tweet on the Oilers is about. One of the best things about social media is it helps me be a better bandwagon jumper. With all the advertisements about game time, it’s hard to use the excuse “I forgot.” And my single most favourite thing is that people post their thoughts about every play of the game. Wait, did I say favourite? I actually meant it’s the most annoying part of social media. Again, if I wanted to know what was happening, I would turn on my TV. Really, it’s a team’s hardcore fans’ own fault that there are bandwagon fans in the first place. If I wasn’t so sick of Oilers fans and their annoying posts, then I might be able to stomach more than the few playoff games the Oilers compete in, once every five years when they actually make them.