Conshohocken’s Dr. Liselle Milazzo, an assistant professor at Penn State Abington, spent the past NFL season observing Eagles fans at local sports bars, writes Victor Fiorillo for Philadelphia Magazine.
As she prepares to launch a formal study, she sheds light on what makes this fanbase unique.
Fandom, she explains, is driven by three factors: internal involvement, external involvement, and social interaction. Eagles fans reshape their schedules around games, invest in memorabilia, and bond over their shared passion, whether at bars or in group chats.
Intensity varies among fans, with some lifelong diehards and others jumping on the bandwagon when the team excels. While some gatekeeping exists, the city’s shared love for the Eagles fosters inclusivity, especially during big events like the Super Bowl.
Are Eagles fans truly different from others? Milazzo says every fanbase believes theirs is the most passionate, but cities like Philadelphia and Buffalo take it to another level. Extreme displays—whether breaking tables or running into the streets after a win—cement communal bonds.
Winning creates lasting memories, turning places like Broad Street into landmarks of celebration. “Whenever you go back to Broad Street, you will be able to immediately pull up that night. The entire city will remember,” Milazzo says.
She predicts an Eagles victory by 14 points.
Read Dr. Liselle Milazzo’s full interview in Philadelphia Magazine.
