Design a model for determining Relationship between Football fan identification and collective self-esteem based on social media

Sports spectatorship is one of people's favorite pastimes. Besides attending games in person, sports fans use a wide variety of social media keep up with their favorite teams that leads to more identification and self-esteem. So, the purpose of this research was design a model for determining Relationship football fan identification and collective self-esteem based on social media. The research method was descriptive and survey that data were gathered through questionnaire. The statistical population was consisted the fans of Teraktorsazi football club in a match with the team of Qatar Lekhwiya Sports Club that the number 248 were selected randomly. Structural equation models (SEM) were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that social media usage effect positively on fan identification (β= 0/88). Also, fan identification affect significantly on collective self-esteem (β= 1.03). Sports fans use social media to achieve and maintain their positive social identity through intergroup differentiation from rival teams and manage their feelings and self-esteem through associating with a successful team.