MARGINALIZING FANS THROUGH SUPPLY AND DEMAND LOGICS: The Messi Effect and Major League Soccer profiteering

Jeffrey W. Kassing; Lindsey J. Meân

doi:10.4324/9781003535690-36

MARGINALIZING FANS THROUGH SUPPLY AND DEMAND LOGICS: The Messi Effect and Major League Soccer profiteering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Football fandom in the US has evolved slowly and marginally compared to more popular sports like American football, basketball, and baseball. Yet a devout supporter culture has taken root in Major League Soccer (MLS). This chapter critically considers how the ‘Messi Effect’ stands to supplant authentic supporters with more affluent ones, who can afford and substantiate deliberate and considerable ticket price increases to attend and witness matches in which Messi participates. The implications of the ‘Messi Effect’ and the displacement to which it contributes underscore the growing distress among supporters about increasingly powerful commodifying forces in modern football.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Continental Perspectives on the Geopolitical Economy of Football
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Pages	261-271
Number of pages	11
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040257975
ISBN (Print)	9781032879833
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003535690-36
State	Published - Jan 1 2024
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences
General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

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10.4324/9781003535690-36

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abstract = "Football fandom in the US has evolved slowly and marginally compared to more popular sports like American football, basketball, and baseball. Yet a devout supporter culture has taken root in Major League Soccer (MLS). This chapter critically considers how the {\textquoteleft}Messi Effect{\textquoteright} stands to supplant authentic supporters with more affluent ones, who can afford and substantiate deliberate and considerable ticket price increases to attend and witness matches in which Messi participates. The implications of the {\textquoteleft}Messi Effect{\textquoteright} and the displacement to which it contributes underscore the growing distress among supporters about increasingly powerful commodifying forces in modern football.",

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MARGINALIZING FANS THROUGH SUPPLY AND DEMAND LOGICS: The Messi Effect and Major League Soccer profiteering

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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