The sport industry is now operated on a global scale. With the aid of information technology, fans are now able to access sport products regardless of geographical proximity. In contrast to the overwhelming predisposition toward the local fan in sport fandom studies, in this article we study the distant fan as a unique focal object. The whole study is guided by following questions: RQ1: What motives drive a distant fan’s involvement with their favorite NBA team? RQ2: Are there differences in the motives associated with the different stages of psychological connection? RQ3: Are there differences in the amount of media consumption at the different stages of psychological connection? In the current study we utilize the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM) (Funk & James, 2001; 2006) to investigate the psychological connection of distant fans to a focal sports team. The model posits that the developmental progression is mediated by combined efforts of both sociological and psychological factors which are segmented into four hierarchical stages: awareness, attraction, attachment and allegiance. By identifying underlying influential factors in different stages, the PCM provides a theoretical basis for the exploration of the distant fan’s incremental psychological connection with the team. In this study we assess the strength of connection for the distant fan who only consumes a mediated form of the focal product, and attempt to identify motives driving each level of connection. An online survey was distributed to a Chinese sports message board to assess the motives of distant fans (N=281) following teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and strength of psychological connection to the NBA, based on the Psychological Continuum Model (PCM).There were significant differences in the motives for following a distant team among the respondents at different stages of psychological connection. Significant differences were also found among distant fans at the respective stages regarding media consumption. This study contributes to the advanced knowledge of the distant fan. By utilizing the PCM, it allows for the segmentation of a specific fan population and differentiates the motives and behaviors associated with different stages of an individual’s psychologicalconnection with a team. A conceptual framework is also provided to identify factors driving formation and progression of psychological connection with a distant team.

• Haozhou Pu(Florida State University, USA)
• Jeffrey James(Florida State University, USA)
• Hanhan Xue(Florida State University, USA)