RMIT experts available for comment on moving the AFL grand final

RMIT experts available for comment on moving the AFL grand final

Experts from RMIT University are available to talk about the AFL 2020 grand final leaving Victoria due to coronavirus.

Dr Kevin Argus (0419 889 465 or kevin.argus@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: grand final relocation, MCG, fan response, COVID-19.

“ALF fan loyalty has remained robust during COVID-19, with two Victorian clubs, Carlton and St Kilda, among five clubs setting membership records.

“This was unsurprising as loyal fans view their sport involvement as an important means of affirming their identity and self-esteem.

“Given that the AFL season will result in a final series with a grand final played is of great importance to fans – relocation of the grand final from the MCC interstate will be viewed as a temporary god-send.

“To suggest the relocation of the ALF grand final interstate may negatively impact fans is to misunderstand the importance of their involvement in AFL in the context of their lives.

“They will reprioritise the importance of this historical move, in the context of the pandemic as a temporal anomaly.

“Fans will be overjoyed that the AFL grand final is played – they won’t care where it is played, as long as it is played!”

Dr Kevin Argus is a Lecturer in Marketing in the Graduate School of Business and Law at RMIT University. Kevin’s PhD research explored the origins and development of fan loyalty in sport.

Con Stavros (0411 231 371 or con.stavros@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: AFL, night grand final, club membership

"The AFL's decision to move the grand final to Queensland has been seen as inevitable for some time now, so the announcement carries little sting for fans of the league given the extraordinary season that has occurred.

"The AFL has done a remarkable job to bring the season to its climax just one month later than usual, despite the unique location for the grand final, given what it has had to navigate throughout season 2020.

“This includes overcoming the hurdle of internal border restrictions that other major domestic leagues around the world have not faced."

Associate Professor Con Stavros is a leading expert in the marketing of sport. He is a regular media commentator, has published numerous books and articles on sport and is the editor of the international journal 'Sport, Business & Management'.

***

For media enquiries, please contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

 

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02 September 2020

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02 September 2020

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