I teach this generation of high schools...2 words sum them up.

Zombie Apocalypse.

You watch a butch of highschoolers with cell phones in one hand walking down the hall..looks exactly like a bunch of zombies shuffling along..

And the look in their eyes in class...totally dead.

I teach this generation of high schools...2 words sum them up.

Zombie Apocalypse.

You watch a butch of highschoolers with cell phones in one hand walking down the hall..looks exactly like a bunch of zombies shuffling along..

And the look in their eyes in class...totally dead.

OK, I used Lost Generation where you have "Silent". I think the Lost Generation may have been the one predating the GI Generation.

Silent Generation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Generation

I note this: The Silent Generation NEVER had a member become POTUS. Kennedy/Nixon/Carter/Bush I/Reagan were all GI Generation...then Clinton/BushII/Obama are Baby Boomers. LBJ predated GI Generation.

I think your question, while sincere, and I don't mean this to be insulting, but points to the crux of the real problem; fans like you.

Let me explain. by definition, fan comes from fanatic, so a lot of the dynamic is polluted with emotion. However, Browns fans and media don't live in a world that most other people live in. I get people pissed off all the time by asking them to answer simple questions to back up their idiotic threads.

For instance. Joe Thomas according to most, is a future HOF'er. I simply ask, what stats make im equal to a Forrest Greg or Jerry Kramer? WInning teams? Playoffs? 1000 yard rushers? 3000 yard passers? wins against rivals? improved record?

The answer I get? You're fucked up man, why do you hate JT. But you see, THIS is what has killed the Cleveland Browns. Anything in life will die if you allow the bar to be lowered.

Let me ask you something, man; in other football towns, What Browns players could kids under 25 name? What Browns players would kids 25 or under line up to see? What Browns players do the NFL shows ache to have come on?

The most boring uniforms in the league, no hallmark players, no wins, no championships, no playoff appearances. No cheerleaders, no cool logo.........

It's not the kids man, it's YOU, and fans like you. Lerner gives the fans shit, and they support it. Haslam gives more shit, and the fans support it. NOW,,, we have a fortune teller and a guy named Sushi leading things. What The Fuck pray tell is their to be attracted to?

Hey, lets draft 10 more offensive linemen. That will REALLY reel in the fans.

There are six living generations from a marketing standpoint.

GI - roughly 1901-1926. Children of WWI, fought in WW2.

Silents - roughly 1927- 1945. Korean/Vietnam War generation.

Baby Boomers - roughly 1946-1964. Yuppies. Rock and Roll. Credit.

Gen X - roughly 1965 -1980. Latch key kids. Entrepreneurs. Generally self-centric.

Gen Y/ Millennials - roughly 1981 - 2000. Brand loyal. Schedule/research focused. Collaborative.

Gen Z - 2000 - present. Eco-fatigue. Tech-savvy. Oversaturated with brands.

The last two are the ones I'm referring to.

Now you are just confusing me with your listing of Generations?

the extent of my knowledge is That the Baby Boomer generation are those born 1946 to 1964.

Before that it was the Lost Generation, born 1929 to 1945. Before that the GI Generation born 1910 to 1928.

What came after the Baby Boomers? Is this Gen X?

1965 to 1982? Then after them? 1982 to 2000? Is this Gen Z?

Then was about kids born since 2000? Are these "Millenials"? I

IMO fantasy football has hurt fandom. Football is a team sport and fantasy football isn't except for defense and special teams. Now if you're hoping for players to win for you they're not all going to be on the same team.

Let's say Tom Brady is on a kids fantasy team. He's not rooting for the Pats, he's rooting for Brady. So as the season progresses he's a player fan rather than a fan of a team.

Fair enough, it was my fault. I meant that the entry barrier for this generation is quality. Millennials in general remain loyal to the brands that they originally purchased, partly because switching brands is admitting that their initial valuation may have been misplaced.

Millennials will research a product to determine which have the highest value at the time of their purchase, then will generally stick with that product regardless of how it plays out over time.

Take Apple for instance - despite the fact that they haven't been nearly as innovative since Steve Jobs passed, millennials remain fiercely brand loyal to Apple products because, for the vast majority, Apple offered the highest value at the time of entry for the largest share of millennials (early-to-mid 2000's for products). You have to remember that the millennial generation is in their 20's and early 30's now...so the entry barrier isn't now for most products, but 5-10 years ago. For this reason, you'll likely see a lot of Vikings, Patriots, Steelers, and Packers fans in their 20's with zero regional or familial affiliations to those geographic locations.

We may be arguing the same point, however, if you were talking Gen Z - who have shown to be more trendy and less loyal in their product purchases due to a number of factors, with social proof being a big one.

All in all, though, the problem with the Browns is multi-layered - they weren't winning over the past 10-15 years, therefore they weren't capturing the millennial market in their formative years, they aren't winning now to capture Gen Z'ers nor are they trendy enough to capture Gen Z'ers, and, because they missed the boat on millennials - there's a chance they won't be appealing to the children of millennials either.

(This is all excluding regional and familial ties, of course.)

Heard they're going to rename the Team to change/recharge the Fan base :

CLE_Poss.jpg

I've got my 13 month old nephew in his first Browns windbreaker. Did my part.

I've got my 13 month old nephew in his first Browns windbreaker. Did my part.

Wow. This entire thread just baffles me.

To address the OP, why do you think you can 'breed' Browns fans?

Your kids should follow this team because they were born here? Or because you 'taught' them to?

I'm not getting that at all. Can't they make up their own minds?

.

Well, I agree with just about everything you say....except your conclusion. Yes, I do think it makes this generation more fickle.

You said "loyalty starts with identifying with quality products for millenials". You failed to complete the thought inherent in your statement though: without the quality product, loyalty shifts to a different quality product. That is the implication I am reading into that.

There are many aspects of past generations I wish were still prevalent - mainly in terms of music and culture. But the relentlessly piling on of millennials is, to me, unfounded - especially when it comes to loyalty. Sports-wise, there may be a better case for it, but millennials have shown to be fiercely brand loyal in a number of market research studies, moreso than other generations. However, that loyalty starts with identifying quality products, which the Browns haven't been throughout a majority of most millennials life-cycles.

This age of connectivity makes it easier to root for teams from anywhere in the nation and, as such, makes it easier for the casual fan to "follow" the sport. So it's not outside the realm of reason that there'd be more bandwagoning in today's age. Doesn't make the generation more fickle.

I bought a Panthers hat, after all. Can't be rooting for Denver.

@tim-couch-pulls-out said:

This generation is no different than any other generation in that respect. There would have been no "older generation" of Browns fans had they not torn apart the AAFC and then the NFL in its infancy.

Sure, there would have been some just solely based on proximity, as it was near impossible to be a fan of another team when you couldn't readily see or hear them. But the city of Cleveland would have likely just forgotten about the Browns if they didn't start fast and strong with PB.

I honestly don't think that is true. Again, you assume lack of loyalty because your generation doesn't really have it. You are applying the traits of your generation on to ours...and that cannot be done any more than you can apply the traits of our generation onto yours.

Just like they've forgotten about them now.

I don't think they have forgotten....merely repressed those memories.

I find it hilarious when other generations try to pile on millenials despite the fact that there have been infinitely more societal, technological, ethical, and educational dvancements during this time than during that of both baby boomers and Gen Xers.

And again, you try to do the exact opposite.

I remember when frankfurters cost a nickel and you had to walk 10 miles uphill in the snow both ways to go to the corner store for some good taffy.

That would not be the Baby Boomers, that would be the GI Generation...and before.

But, guess what? Perhaps early aspect of the Baby Boomer Generation are coming back: I saw gas this morning for 49 cents per gallon!!

It was E85 gas....but it was gas.

I paid 1.64 for regular

This generation is no different than any other generation in that respect. There would have been no "older generation" of Browns fans had they not torn apart the AAFC and then the NFL in its infancy.

Sure, there would have been some just solely based on proximity, as it was near impossible to be a fan of another team when you couldn't readily see or hear them. But the city of Cleveland would have likely just forgotten about the Browns if they didn't start fast and strong with PB.

I honestly don't think that is true. Again, you assume lack of loyalty because your generation doesn't really have it. You are applying the traits of your generation on to ours...and that cannot be done any more than you can apply the traits of our generation onto yours.

Just like they've forgotten about them now.

I don't think they have forgotten....merely repressed those memories.

I find it hilarious when other generations try to pile on millenials despite the fact that there have been infinitely more societal, technological, ethical, and educational dvancements during this time than during that of both baby boomers and Gen Xers.

And again, you try to do the exact opposite.

I remember when frankfurters cost a nickel and you had to walk 10 miles uphill in the snow both ways to go to the corner store for some good taffy.

That would not be the Baby Boomers, that would be the GI Generation...and before.

But, guess what? Perhaps early aspect of the Baby Boomer Generation are coming back: I saw gas this morning for 49 cents per gallon!!

It was E85 gas....but it was gas.

I paid 1.64 for regular.

Gip,

IMHO this lack of lifetime loyalty was created, in large part, by free agency. These young people don't see the "Player to Team" & "Team to Player" loyalty that us older folks saw. When I was a kid, most players seemed to play their entire careers with one Team. They were your heroes for years & those players were linked to the Browns (or whatever Team you followed). Many of todays' players play for 2, 3 or more Teams throughout their careers. The days of kids growing up with a player or players spending entire careers on the hometown Team are virtually gone with very few exceptions.

Dylan..."The times, they are a changin"

Mike