The thing that some fail to realize about sports is that the sport is for the fan almost as much as it is for the athlete. Sports have been shaped over the years to be built for the fans. Owners shape their economic decisions around fans. Fans are the reason sports are so prevalent in society. The purpose of sports is for entertainment and competition.

Fans’ reason for watching sports is pure entertainment and passion. With that passion comes competition between fan bases. Just look at the rivalries in pro, college, and even high school sports. There are twitter accounts dedicated solely to schools dissing each other. Being a fan is competitive too.

Some may say fans are not important at all, that they don’t understand or have little impact, but without them, the team has no money and sports would not be as big as they are. The dedication of sports fans should not be overlooked.

Recently a fan died, yes, actually DIED after the Super Bowl, from caring too much about the Seahawks. In his obituary after the Seahawks lost on a controversial play call by the Head Coach Pete Carroll, the family blamed Carroll’s “lousy play calling” for the fan’s death. If that isn’t the perfect picture of the highs and lows of fandom, I don’t know what is.

As you can see, not everything about being a fan is all fun and games. The job of the fans is support the team even during the rough spots and to provide a passionate and fun environment for the athletes and other fans. The marriage of a fan base and a franchise is often a rocky one however, especially with social media becoming more and more pronounced each year.

Fans have a direct way to communicate with athletes, and it has become a glaring negative. Fans now have free reign to say nasty things to athletes on twitter, which causes a disliking of fans for some pro athletes, or even owners. Recently the New York Knicks owner James Dolan blasted a long time fan, just for offering criticism on the team with an e-mail. Dolan said “I am just guessing, but I’ll bet your life is a mess and you are a hateful mess.” Insulting a fan base can cripple a team.

Fans drive a team financially, they affect more than just team morale. The importance of the fan is overlooked in sports, although fans are hardly the most important. Without fans, the athletes have no revenue or audience, and without the athletes there is no sports. Without the sport, there are no fans. Sports are a triangle unlike any other in life. Without the complete synergy of the three, sports aren’t as popular as they are.

In the end, athletes need fans, and fans need athletes. Both sides rely on each other to continue the prosperity of their favorite game. Fans, appreciate the athletes. Athletes, appreciate the fans.