Fandom is stickier when fans have an orientation to the sport, not just to a team. These two modes are not mutually exclusive: A single fan can love college football generally and root for the Crimson Tide specifically. But when they do both, their fandom runs deeper.

Do you like football?’ ‘No, but I like watching the blokes watching the football. It brings out the best and the worst in them. Turns them back into little kids, which is something they’re usually trying to hide.’