Bandwagoners are in every sport and every team. I believe much of the contempt is a result of the diehard's expectation of a bandwagoner not being fulfilled.

The diehard's firstmost priority is the team and the game. For other folks it is more social, being in "the place" to be seen, with the game and team itself secondary.

My evidence of this behaviour is none other than the Wrigley bleachers and United Centre. While its always nice for the games to have a social element, bandwagoners focus more on social elements than the game. While that in of itself is fine, it often becomes a distraction; getting up and down during the play for instance. Back in the day, would we have ever seen ushers with a "wait for the whistle" stop sign?

The seriousness of the game and team certainly isn't there nearly as much, though at times I notice novices asking some good questions. Too few and far between though.

The 'Hawks situation is somewhat unique. After decades of screwing over by Arthur, then Bill Wirtz, the chips rapidly fell into place. It is my personal belief that us diehards (myself since the late 60's) who were so turned off by the organ-I-zation were caught off guard by the rapid rise from crap in 2007 to the first of recent cups in 2010. The UC rapidly filled with bandwagoners. The crowd today is so vastly different than even the first UC seasons when JR, Amonte, Eddie and Cheli were there.

The Wrigley bleachers took on a life of their own some years ago. While the park has been a tourist attraction for a few decades (since Trib Co's 1981 purchase, arrival of Harry & Ryno and neighborhood fixup), there is a social element out there for good and bad seasons. It's as if the bleachers is a 5,000 seat beer garden. "Hey look! They're playing a baseball game over there!"

You're right! It was missing- I fixed it for you!
- Rabidduck

Huge in Britain:

Huge in Britain:


- smellmyfinger

My God, why did they light that poor lion on fire?

Disgusting.

calling them bandwagon fans is racist tribalism

calling them bandwagon fans is racist tribalism
- gopherwildfan

This falls in line with the NHLs new plan for safe spaces in arenas where fans won't be subjected to criticisms, booing, or generally rowdy behavior.

My God, why did they light that poor lion on fire?

Disgusting.
- Atomic Wedgie

Apparently that's what they do in Britain. You should see what they do to their field hockey mascots.[/img]

You're right! It was missing- I fixed it for you!
- Rabidduck

Your move, Jillian. Or would you like us to start referring to the NFL as American Football? The National American Football League.

Nice photo shop. No way you aren't pushing at least a deuce and a half to three hundred, Fatmarsh.
- leonkennedy

I guarantee you that Fatmarsh drops pushes a lot of deuces.

I'd Finkler