ABSTRACT
Although many individuals view sport fandom as no more than a simple hobby or pastime, in reality the activity has the potential to assist in meeting numerous personal and societal needs. In the current chapter, several of these needs are examined. At the individual level, this includes the need to belong, the need for distinctiveness, the need for uncertainty reduction, and the search for meaning in life. As for societal needs, sport fandom serves as an appropriate avenue for affective expression, enhances communication, aids in the socialization process, and has the ability to foster multiple levels of integration among society’s members.
