fresh hope? Absolutely. The same goes for teams like the Cleveland Browns, whose re-emergence in recent seasons has reignited interest from fans who swore them off years ago.
Is it frustrating to be a loyal supporter and see newcomers suddenly act like lifelong experts? Sure. But that frustration is born from passion — and passion is contagious. Fair-weather fans, for all their timing, are often the spark that lights the city up. They flood social media, buy out playoff gear, and create the buzz that makes casual fandom feel like a cultural movement.
It’s easy to romanticize suffering — to think that true fandom requires sticking it out through every loss and heartbreak. But not everyone has the bandwidth, the history, or the hometown tie that makes that level of loyalty possible. And that’s okay.
The truth is, every diehard fan started somewhere. Maybe it was a single game, a single championship run, or even just a charismatic player who pulled them in. So when this season’s fair-weathered fans show up in droves — whether it’s for Caitlin Clark’s Fever, the surging Mariners, or another Messi-led Inter Miami victory — maybe we welcome them. Maybe we say: “Glad you’re here. You picked a hell of a time.”
Because fandom, like the teams we love, doesn’t need to be exclusive. It just needs to be real — even if it’s temporary.
This one’s for the fair-weathered fans. Welcome aboard. The ride’s just getting good.