Exploring Athletic Club de Bilbao's Communication: Philosophy, Identity, and Fan´s Community

Abstract

Professional football teams operate today in a globalized context where communication strategies are crucial for strengthening bonds with their fanbases. The aim of this research was to explore the communication tactics of a football team by analyzing 15 documentary videos from the official YouTube channel of Athletic Club de Bilbao, a football team with a recruitment policy that is unique in the world of football and often labelled as anachronistic. Through a qualitative methodology, thematic analysis, and using Atlas.ti software, the results revealed that the football club's communication tactics involve presenting a contemporary narrative in their documentary videos that embraces the linguistic and cultural diversity of Basque society, blending localism with cosmopolitanism. These findings suggest that the fans of Athletic Club experience a sense of distinction and exclusivity compared to other teams and supporters worldwide, transcending the geographical boundaries of their city.