The Panthers do need a bigger fanbase

[Kevin Greene]

Most of us cheered for another team before we were awarded the franchise. We picked up quite a few rabid fans during the Superbowl run, it's be nice to pick up even more.

I would say the vast majority of posters here, and Panther fans, cheered football in some sort long before the idea of the Carolina Panthers first existed.

[Ga Cat Fan]

then MOVE 2 CAROLINA!!!! SUPPORT the Panthers ....i wouldn't have it any other way;)

Unfortunately, that is not possible in the forseeable future.

[frash.exe]

The main catalyst for building a fanbase is, well, rings.

largest fanbases include:

Cowboys (5 rings)

Steelers (5 rings)

49ers (5 rings)

Pats fans have been popping up everywhere the past decade. Why? They've won superbowls in 2001, 2003, and 2004.

Giants fans are more plentiful than Jets fans, because the Giants have 3 superbowl wins in the last 20 years while the Jets have none.

Success builds a franchise up. I became a Panther fan during the 03 SB run. We didn't win, but our time in the spotlight earned us some new fans, including me.

I won't mention names but some people here have this inferiority complex about them, like "ughughughugh now the bandwagoners are herre now that we winning". It doesn't make you look any bigger of a fan it just makes you look like an elitist jackass. If you notice a lot of people who jump on the bandwagon never jump off.

[fieryprophet]

I won't mention names but some people here have this inferiority complex about them. . .

And, for all of their proclamations against "bandwagoners" they're typically the first to scream bloody murder about any loss and call for the heads of the entire team.

Yep, real fans there.

[frash.exe]

And, for all of their proclamations against "bandwagoners" they're typically the first to scream bloody murder about any loss and call for the heads of the entire team.

Yep, real fans there.

THAT'S how they support their team. You never heard a Cowboys fan or a Steelers fan do the same thing? Fans like that are not exclusive to this franchise and you can browse other teams' message boards to find out that is true.

Don't confuse player dissatisfaction with team dissatisfaction. Two different things.

Just because they don't share your opinions doesn't mean they don't share your love for the Panthers.

[beastson]

What about those dirty scum of the earth Carolina Cowboy, Redskins, Steelers, Falcons, Bears and Eagles fans that haven't been converted yet?

If they want to become a Panther fan, should we accept them?

Now thats a great question

F their teams and their fans

[fieryprophet]

THAT'S how they support their team. You never heard a Cowboys fan or a Steelers fan do the same thing? Fans like that are not exclusive to this franchise and you can browse other teams' message boards to find out that is true.

Don't confuse player dissatisfaction with team dissatisfaction. Two different things.

Just because they don't share your opinions doesn't mean they don't share your love for the Panthers.

I wouldn't question their Panther devotion, just their way of expressing it

[British_Panther]

How much of a change did TB's win in 02 make to their fanbase?

[GRWatcher]

How much of a change did TB's win in 02 make to their fanbase?

Gruden + Super Bowl win + that d@mn priate ship = cocky, egotistical fans

:yesnod:

[British_Panther]

Gruden + Super Bowl win + that d@mn priate ship = cocky, egotistical fans

:yesnod:

But are there more of them? Has it changed their media profile?

[pstall]

Totally agree. I saw some goofball's comment on the Observer about bandwagon fans.

So at what point are they supposed to be fans? Is it like a 401k, after so many years you are fully vested, THEN you can become a fan? Stupid.

[User Name]

But are there more of them? Has it changed their media profile?

No and not really.

TB was a bit of a media darling when they were in the NFC central, Sapps big mouth had them in the news a lot, and they were always talked about as a team on the verge. They got another media bump after Gruden arrived, and of course a little nudge from the SB, but it's been down hill from there. Truthfully I bet outside of The NFC south few people even remember who won superbowl 37.

Edit:

Attached is a chart from 2008 that shows teams popularity from 1998-2008. As you can see there is a bump in a teams SB years, but it usually settles down a bit afterward if they don't maintain success.

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=959

[FelineFANatic]

What about those dirty scum of the earth Carolina Cowboy, Redskins, Steelers, Falcons, Bears and Eagles fans that haven't been converted yet?

If they want to become a Panther fan, should we accept them?

I say yes, we should take them but only after they renounce their allegiance to the former team.:thumbsup:

Maybe we should start a list of Huddle Laws so that newbie Panthers fans will know how to be a proper fan.

[PantherBoy95]

I was just joking about what I said.....wait no I wasn't but I wasn't saying people from another team CAN'T be within our fanbase. I mean the ones who intentionally jump on the bandwagon c/ we're winning and aren't willing to stay if things begin to get grimy.

Obviously you get more national attention and exposure when you're winning. And I understand that comes with fans

And anyone who's stuck around also remembers all of the threads we got in 2004 about "F*ck this team we suck...I'm leaving this forum c/ we play like crap."

FWIW I've never called for a player or coaches head as far as I can remember b/c I've liked each coach and basically player we've had so far. (If anything I like them too much even when they get bad i.e. Stephen Davis,Keary and Drew)

So I seriously hope those "elitist jacka** / inferiority" comments weren't directed towards me.

Now if you find something wrong with what I said this time then it's your opinion. C/ I know I'd rather keep this forum the way it is with full fledged fans. And not have a "Black Widow" type of person who people end up liking and just leave when the team isn't good. (I know that her situation was totally different w/ her liking the Raiders and all of the hate comments)