Self Snapshot: Sport Selfies Enhancing Identity & Extending Experiences

Fandom long existed before digital media

Old fashion forms of team-identificaiton

• Traditional visible signifiers of affiliation (face paint, jerseys, hats, car stickers, flags, etc.)

Digitally inspired forms of fan identification

• Digital signifiers of affiliation (avatars, blog/forum presence, selfies)

----Shareable affiliation via tech----

Sport selfies = digital validation

The digital integration and heavy emphasis of spreadable media in sport has given fans a network to a) express themselves b) find likeminded others, and c) extend the sport experience beyond game.

Sport Selfies --

Live it. Share it.

Remember it.

Cognitive Results in New Media Participation

1. Reveal; Allow fans to unveil socially identifiable attributes (recognition of names, logos, locations, words, brands)

2. Reminisce; (live attended events, social experiences, narrative transportation)

3. Reward; increase social connections, extended through digital communities; “might not be local but they feel local”

Additional Emotional results

① Self-esteem from group membership; inclusion

② Possession-self link (body as brand)

③ Contribution to greater collective (cognitive surplus)

Athlete Selfie Participation

By me for me by me for everyone

• Taps into innate desire to become creative producers

• Turning personal value into civic value

Branding SelfiesEmpowerment marketing strategy to challenge traditional selfie use.

Reebok redefining the selfie purpose: Most authentic self is with the shine of sweat, post physical

accomplishment – NOT w/a photoshop filter.

Tournament Selfie Use

Authentic, Call to Action, Affirmation of Identity

Selfie tie-ins to corporate sponsorship

• #SMSports creates business opportunities through fan identification in social media spaces

Experience is greater than the Game

Selfies certify fan affiliation and fuse the sport experience in social identity.