TSM vs. Eastern City – League Decider 2017

Lore & Background

One of the first known sports rivalries occurred in the Roman Empire between the Blues and the Greens, and the minor teams of the Reds and Whites, each of which were chariot racing clubs competing at the Hippodrome in Constantinople. The rivalry took on political tones as well, coming close to deposing the Roman Emperor Justinian in 532 CE in a riot and the suppression of the riot killed tens of thousands of people.

Reader's Guide

Owners have been known to encourage rivalries as they tend to improve game attendance and television ratings for rivalry matches. Clubs can reduce fan aggression surrounding rivalry games by acknowledging rather than downplaying the conflict because the rivalry is an integral part of fan identity.

Did You Know?

• Games between two rivals based in areas of close geographical proximity are often known as a local derby.
• The first recorded use of the term 'derby' was to refer to major provincial horse races from a time when the Epsom Derby was England’s major sporting event.
• Since at least as early as 1840 'derby' has been used as a noun in English to denote any kind of sporting contest.
• The intensity of a rivalry can range from light-hearted banter to serious violence, including hooliganism and rioting.