Inquiry Proposal for genre topic

1. To: Rebecca Agosta
From: Garrett Walker
Date: 09/22/2014
Subject of Inquiry: How Americans identify with professional football teams.
Initial Inquiry Idea:
I am interested in finding out where professional football teams generate their fan-bases, the
factors and motivations for "bandwagoner" fans, and how people show support for their team. I
personally grew up in North Carolina and almost by default became a Carolina Panthers fan.
Before the Panthers existed I was more of a San Francisco 49ers fan than anything else, but I
quickly left them in the dust after learning of the new team coming to Charlotte. In addition, I
have noticed through the years that many people in the Carolinas are fans of teams not even
close to their home. I have also noticed a dynamic range of levels of support between different
fans, and I want to find out why some fans are more "hardcore" than others.
Methods:
To begin this project, I will use social media to get an initial base of information through the
questions that I will ask which will be compiled with my observational findings in each area of
social media that will be used. To expand on this information I will also go to fan message
boards designated for teams across the country which should provide a diverse sample group.
This should be accomplished fairly easily through the internet but may take a little extra time
depending on how fast I am given responses. I will also use the internet to find any articles I can
on this same information. The majority of my information will come in the form of surveys, but I
may be able to find additional information through various search engines.
Questions:
1. Why are Americans so interested in professional football?
A) Why are players sometimes idolized?
B) How does professional football affect people's personal lives?
C) What effect does fan support have on the team's or player's performances?
2. What does it take for a team to gain support from the public?
A) What are the differences in fans who follow the players versus the teams?
B) What factors cause fans to "leave" a team in favor of another?
C) How does location, family and friends, and team history affect team fan bases?

2. D) How do fans show their support for their team?
a) What makes one a "fair weather fan" and how do others view this classification?
b) What makes one more "hardcore" than other fans and how do others view this
classification?