Everywhere around the globe, the passion for sports varies widely. To understand this phenomenon better, let’s delve into the perspective of non-sports enthusiasts—

For those not into sports, the fascination with sports seems inexplicable.

If you are a sports fan, here’s how non-sports fans see your attachment to your favorite team:

A group of individuals, mostly in their 20s and 30s, are paid to compete in games with no real-world implications, and yet you are deeply invested in this. There are teams that need to win, others that have to lose, players who must outperform their counterparts—and all of this is considered crucial.

Furthermore, the players who are expected to perform well sometimes change teams to those expected to lose, and suddenly, you wish those players would underperform. Ultimately, what you truly root for are specific jerseys, regardless of the players wearing them.

Furthermore, as you follow your team that must emerge victorious, nearly every season culminates in them facing defeat, leaving you feeling disappointed like:

Or like this:

Or even this:

Occasionally, after roughly three decades, the team you staunchly support manages to claim victory! After 30 years and countless hours of dedication and commitment, the ultimate triumph is accomplished—and then what? Does it lead to a major change in your life? Not quite. Instead, you find yourself on the streets shouting joyously, followed by rioting—seemingly illogical since they are celebrating.

Afterward, you spend a few days reading about the significant victory, purchase a commemorative t-shirt, and resume your daily routine. That’s the culmination of it all.

Indeed, it’s a peculiar phenomenon.

Nonetheless, one of the few commonalities among people worldwide is their love for sports. When a peculiar yet widespread interest exists, there must be deeper underlying reasons.
As a devoted sports enthusiast hailing from a city brimming with fervent sports fans (Boston), I am compelled to explore this further.

Reasons why sports fans are passionate about sports

Sports offer entertainment due to the following factors:

→ There’s intense drama.

Due to the significant number of viewers and the enduring nature of sports events, the stakes are truly high for the athletes, resulting in captivating drama.

This same allure is what propelled American Idol to popularity—the sheer magnitude of its viewership created the drama that made it riveting.

Moreover, many people genuinely find sports captivating to watch, such as Arena Football, minor league baseball, or high-level pickup basketball, simply because they enjoy the sport, drama aside. However, most sports fans likely require the element of high stakes to feel fully engaged.

→ Watching exceptional talent is exhilarating.

Humans have a fascination with extraordinary prowess, regardless of the skill. Sports present an ideal platform to witness individuals who excel in the top 0.001% of their field compete against similarly elite athletes. And there you are, perhaps in the top 73%, comfortably seated on your couch, critiquing their performance. It’s thrilling. Speaking of which—

→ It taps into our primal desire to witness rivalry and competition.

You may deny it, but part of you craves this experience. As you watch athletes endure challenging conditions, physical duels, and perhaps even public humiliation in front of millions, there’s a sense of gloating as you munch on your snack, silently urging them to give their best performance.

→ The aesthetic appeal of sports is undeniable.

Many Olympic sports captivate audiences with their visual appeal, much like the pleasure of watching someone as sleek and athletic as LeBron James in action.

Sports foster unity among people.

→ It cultivates bonds among family and friends.

Many individuals gather with friends to watch sports, seizing the opportunity to reconnect when they might not otherwise. Personally, I know several guys whose primary topic of conversation with their fathers revolves around sports. Rather than supplanted by more meaningful conversations, sports add an additional layer of closeness to their relationship.

→ On a larger scale, it offers communities something to unite over.

There are few occasions in life where you can join strangers in celebrating a shared experience and feeling a communal bond. This sense of unity is cherished by many—much like the joy brought about by Christmas tunes during the month of December, fostering a collective holiday spirit. Public celebrations marking the end of a conflict illustrate the epitome of community bonding ecstasy:

Since prolonged collective struggles culminating in triumphant victories are rare occurrences, sports serve as an alternative avenue to achieve this sense of collective elation.

The essence of sports lies in creating an “us versus them” dynamic, enabling individuals to be part of a collective “us” where triumph and failure are shared. In ancient times, tribal distinctions expressed this “us versus them” ethos more explicitly—in contemporary society, particularly in large nations, these distinctions are less apparent. Sports act as a methodical means to infuse a more pronounced collective identity into our lives…

→ …which is why one of my life experiences involves tenderly embracing a formidable stranger whom I have never spoken to before or since.