Purpose: The success of Professional sports basically depends on an increase of the number of spectators. As an effective strategy to promote sport fans, the importance of Local Franchise System has been increased because this system encourages local ...
Purpose: The success of Professional sports basically depends on an increase of the number of spectators. As an effective strategy to promote sport fans, the importance of Local Franchise System has been increased because this system encourages local fans to have strong attachment to the local Professional Sports Teams, which induces them to faithfully support the team. In Korean Professional Soccer league, the effects of the Local Franchise System have been insufficient in spite of the early start of this system in 1996. However, the first derby match has been appeared this year since the establishment of Korean Professional Soccer league and the local derby match has attracted much interest from soccer fans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among local pride, derby attractiveness, and team support of the local residents. Method: This research used a questionnaire to collect data from Suwon derby match spectators. Among the 300 surveys collected, final 257 data were analyzed by PASW 18.0 by way of frequency analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis and three-step mediated regression analysis. Result: First, local pride had a significant effect on derby attractiveness. Second, local pride had a significant effect on all the sub-factors of team support such as watching intention, word of mouth intention, supporting intention. Third, derby attractiveness had a significant effect on all the sub-factors of team support. Conclusion: This research identified the relationships among local pride, derby attractiveness, and team support of the local residents on the K-league derby match between Suwon Samsung Blue wings and Suwon FC. Thus, this study provided academic and practical implications about domestic derby match for the future.