The Complex Club-Fan Relationship: A Glimpse into Stakeholders’ Experience With the Aggressive Interventions of Fans

Abstract

This study aims to understand the club-fan relationship from the standpoint of club owners, CEOs, and head coaches (i.e., managers). Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with prominent figures from professional football and basketball in Israel. The current findings indicate that while clubs need the support of their fans, they often find themselves struggling with their aggressive behavior and demands to influence the club’s decision-making processes. First, this qualitative research provides an important insight into the unique experience of pivotal decision-makers in professional sports. Second, we apply the complexity lens to discuss the challenges faced by such stakeholders when trying to manage fans’ disruptive interventions.