Social Media and The Multiple In-Group Identity of the English Premier League International Supporter Clubs

This study addresses the use of social media by independent organizations – supporters clubs, which associate with sport teams to connect with fans. Arsenal America is a group of more than 70 supporters clubs ran independently from Arsenal FC across the United States. The organization was first founded in 2001 and was officially recognized in 2005. Club events are held for every home and away match at local restaurants and bars within each club’s region. While many of the events revolve around socialization between supporter club members, other events are held throughout the year including charity and philanthropy events. Each supporters club in Arsenal America has at least a Twitter and Facebook page, with the vast majority holding both. The purpose of this study is to show the use of social media by each Arsenal America organization in terms of content creation. A content analysis will be performed to examine the parameters which categorize the content delivered through both Twitter and Facebook by Arsenal America clubs. This study implicates the tactics revolving around content which can connect fans through an in-group identity, which can help fans feel both connected with their fellow fans, the local place identity, and the sport organization itself.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/stander_posters/2945/thumbnail.jp