Female Fans of the NFL: Taking Their Place in the Stands

Description

In the past, sport, particularly football, has been defined as a male domain. Women’s interest stereotypically ranges from gentle tolerance to active resistance. But increasingly, women are proudly identifying themselves as supporters of their teams, and have become highly desirable audiences for sport organizations and merchandisers. Football provides a unique site at which to examine the complex interplay between three theoretical areas: identity formation and maintenance, commercialization of cultural practices, and gender hegemony. This book explores how women experience their fandom, and what barriers exist for the female fan. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Dedication......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 List of Figures......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 14 1 Introduction......Page 16 2 Performative Sport Fandom......Page 28 3 Knowing and Caring Modes of Fan Performance......Page 38 4 Challenging the Stereotypes on Their Own Terms......Page 67 5 A Family Affair......Page 95 6 Community Ties, Community Pride......Page 119 7 The Face Paint, Terrible Towels, and Tutus of Public Performances ......Page 143 8 Food, Football, and Fun: Watching at Home......Page 166 9 Who Do You Think You’re Talking To: NFL Representations of Women ......Page 191 10 Conclusion ......Page 215 Appendix A: Interview Guide......Page 230 Appendix B: Interview Participants......Page 232 Bibliography......Page 234 Index......Page 242