To bridge a gap in the literature on the sport‐fan relationship, in particular, psychological attachment and connection of fans to a sports team, the purpose of this research was to examine an individual's journey from initial attraction to eventual allegiance to a sports team. It provides an in‐depth view of the developmental progression that underpins the psychological and behavioural involvement with a recreational pursuit in a sport fan context. Interviews were conducted with an Australian football fan, his family, and friends to gain understanding about the underlying principles of attachment, identification, psychological commitment, and allegiance. This case study provides an insight into the significant determinants that form the attachment of an individual to a sports team, which can be extended to other recreational pursuits.
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Groot et al. (2008) studied this question.
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