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The propensity of strongly identified fans to contribute positive organizational outcomes for sport teams underpins why team identification maintains a central position in sport management. In the current study we examine the multidimensional structure, stability, and interrelationships between the dimensions of team identification, using longitudinal data (April 2011–April 2012) collected from fans of a new Australian Rules football team (N = 602). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) of the team identification items included (measured using the Team*ID scale), supported a five-dimensional model structure. This model was subsequently computed as a longitudinal CFA to test the configural and metric invariance of the Team*ID scale. We used a cross-lagged panel model to examine the longitudinal stability of, and interrelationships between, the dimensions: affect, behavioral involvement, cognitive awareness, private evaluation, and public evaluation. Each dimension displayed relative stability over time. In addition, public evaluation and private evaluation in April 2011 displayed a positive relationship with behavioral involvement in April 2012. Similarly, cognitive awareness in April 2011 predicted increases in public evaluation in April 2012. We conclude with implications for theory and practice.
Lock is with the Department of Tourism, Sport, and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland. Australia. Funk is with the school of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA and the Department of Sport Marketing, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia. Doyle is with the Department of Tourism, Sport, and Hotel Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. McDonald is with the Faculty of Business & Enterprise, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.