Sports spectatorship is generally a very social experience. By participating in a agroup identiy an individual's self-concept combines with the values and emotions of the group to form a significant attachment. For example, sport fans who become strongly identified with a sport team often experience a team defeat as though it were a personal defeat, and report the same emotional reaction and pregame preparation as the team they support" (Dietz-Uhler, 104). Audiencing studies defines a fan as someone being more than a regular viewer and translating what they view into a type of cultural activity. A quintessential fan activity is tailgating. Tailgating is basically taking the show on the road. Fans load up their cars with food, beverages, entertainment systems, tents and lawn chairs and relocate to the parking lot of the stadium to be as close to the game as possible without having a ticket to the game. It is a party atmosphere with games and music. Tailgaters are often more emphatic than fans that remain at home or at a sports bar determined to show their commitment to support the team (Valdez).

In addition to attending live games fans will often gather in groups to have game day parties, tail gate outside the stadium or get together at sports bars. This convergence of culture continues as fans are now able to engage in online Fantasy Football Leagues, sports forums via Facebook and team websites, and sports television and radio. This allows for greater participation and interaction with the team and other fans. Rose believes there is no longer a distinct line between medium, content, producer and user (272). Fantasy football is a prime example of this blurred mix of media. It is a relatively new addition to sports fandom and is meant to enhance and supplement the sports fan lifestyle. Fantasy football users manage up to fifteen players that make up their online fantasy team. Each week users compete against other members in their league and points are won by analyzing actual plays made by the athletes in real games. Users can keep track of their teams on the go through their cellphones, or tablets. The convenience of portability affords users to easily access the network at all times. This allows them to integrate this activity into every other area of their life and results in higher level of interactivity and personalization (Chan-Olmsted and Park qtd. in Farquhar, 1210). Studies have shown several common motivations for participation in online fantasy leagues. These include personal utility, passing time, information seeking, convenience and entertainment (Farquhar, 1210). Studies show success of a fan's fantasy league results in the same satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment felt when the fan's actual team wins. The online game environment, however, has an added bonus in that an element of role-play allows users to temporarily escape their reality and provides a new experience not available to them otherwise (Randle, 148).

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