Why does anyone care about watching sports?

[jmvizanko]

I like to think of myself as a person that has heavily adopted "to each their own." But I am going to step outside of that for a second to ask, how can anyone give a crap about watching sports, especially the most popular ones such as basketball, football, etc.?

Basically its a ball moving around a field. Sure there is strategy, but that strategy still boils down to how best to move a ball around a field. In what ways is this exciting or interesting at all? Oh woopy doo dah, the 20th dunk this game. Glad to see something different. I guess there is the thrill of your team winning, but...

Why do people care who wins or have any team preference whatsoever? Most players just get traded around, so to prefer the home team or the team one grew up loving is a completely arbitrary bias. I think the fact that there is a correlation between the home team doing poorly and spousal abuse in that area going up pretty much sums up the mindest of the people that care the most.

And lastly, why do people it consider it weird for somebody, especially a guy, to not be into sports? The next time somebody asks me if I saw the game, or who my favorite team is, and they display any sort of dismay when I say I don't really care at all, do I have the right to tell them just how stupid their past time is? And how I would rather be doing something intellectually stimulating and/or interactive? (Which would include actually PLAYING sports)

Like i said, "to each their own." I respect anybody's love of watching sports, but I can't help myself from thinking they must be a bit dumb for it.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

I can't stand watching ball, so I agree with you, but I still support the NO Saints and OSU Beavers as a gesture of hometown goodwill.

 

[Jacksnyte]

I like to think of myself as a person that has heavily adopted "to each their own." But I am going to step outside of that for a second to ask, how can anyone give a crap about watching sports, especially the most popular ones such as basketball, football, etc.?

Basically its a ball moving around a field. Sure there is strategy, but that strategy still boils down to how best to move a ball around a field. In what ways is this exciting or interesting at all? Oh woopy doo dah, the 20th dunk this game. Glad to see something different. I guess there is the thrill of your team winning, but...

Why do people care who wins or have any team preference whatsoever? Most players just get traded around, so to prefer the home team or the team one grew up loving is a completely arbitrary bias. I think the fact that there is a correlation between the home team doing poorly and spousal abuse in that area going up pretty much sums up the mindest of the people that care the most.

And lastly, why do people it consider it weird for somebody, especially a guy, to not be into sports? The next time somebody asks me if I saw the game, or who my favorite team is, and they display any sort of dismay when I say I don't really care at all, do I have the right to tell them just how stupid their past time is? And how I would rather be doing something intellectually stimulating and/or interactive? (Which would include actually PLAYING sports)

Like i said, "to each their own." I respect anybody's love of watching sports, but I can't help myself from thinking they must be a bit dumb for it.

Ya got me on this one! I have never been a sports fan! Even as a kid, I would rather be outside doing something than to be glued to a TV set watching grown people get paid more money than I'll ever see in my lifetime run back and forth playing with balls! I have had the same problem with dismay being expressed because I am bored to death by sports. I get real bored watching grown men play with balls! Just sayin'...

 

[Father Heathen]

Watching sports puts me to sleep (unless it's MMA).

 

[Koldo]

The only sport i really care about watching is soccer at world cup or olympiad.
I can't really explain why i like it, i just do.

 

[jmvizanko]

The only sport i really care about watching is soccer at world cup or olympiad.
I can't really explain why i like it, i just do.

Once again, to each their own, but I think I'd have to vote for soccer as THE most boring popular sport in the world. I mean, when a good chunk of games end in 0-0 scores, you know something is wrong with the set up. They need to make the goal bigger or figure out something.

I'd say I'm just a dumb American who is stereotypically not into soccer, but since I could give a rip about watching any sports, I'd say my bias is a bit less than that.

But then, many sports have rules that make watching them a lot less enjoyable. I hate that most football games end with taking a knee. And basketball is even worse. Who wants to watch 2 seconds of game followed by 15 second of free throws for 20 minutes?

 

[Koldo]

Once again, to each their own, but I think I'd have to vote for soccer as THE most boring popular sport in the world. I mean, when a good chunk of games end in 0-0 scores, you know something is wrong with the set up. They need to make the goal bigger or figure out something.

I'd say I'm just a dumb American who is stereotypically not into soccer, but since I could give a rip about watching any sports, I'd say my bias is a bit less than that.

But then, many sports have rules that make watching them a lot less enjoyable. I hate that most football games end with taking a knee. And basketball is even worse. Who wants to watch 2 seconds of game followed by 15 second of free throws for 20 minutes?

Soccer is interesting at high level playing because of the many underlying strategies going on. Each players fits a specific role, and you can see clearly the problems each team is facing.

Given how hard it is to actually score a goal, most teams focus too much in the defense. This gives a lot of value to each goal, but on the other hand the game can easily get very lame if both teams become too defensive.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I would agree with the others that strategy is the key reason for the interest. Second is the abilities of the players in that everyone loves watching a superhero in action. Third would be the Beer and Potato chips.

 

[ninerbuff]

I like to think of myself as a person that has heavily adopted "to each their own." But I am going to step outside of that for a second to ask, how can anyone give a crap about watching sports, especially the most popular ones such as basketball, football, etc.?

Basically its a ball moving around a field. Sure there is strategy, but that strategy still boils down to how best to move a ball around a field. In what ways is this exciting or interesting at all? Oh woopy doo dah, the 20th dunk this game. Glad to see something different. I guess there is the thrill of your team winning, but...

Why do people care who wins or have any team preference whatsoever? Most players just get traded around, so to prefer the home team or the team one grew up loving is a completely arbitrary bias. I think the fact that there is a correlation between the home team doing poorly and spousal abuse in that area going up pretty much sums up the mindest of the people that care the most.

And lastly, why do people it consider it weird for somebody, especially a guy, to not be into sports? The next time somebody asks me if I saw the game, or who my favorite team is, and they display any sort of dismay when I say I don't really care at all, do I have the right to tell them just how stupid their past time is? And how I would rather be doing something intellectually stimulating and/or interactive? (Which would include actually PLAYING sports)

Like i said, "to each their own." I respect anybody's love of watching sports, but I can't help myself from thinking they must be a bit dumb for it.

Well first off, what interests stimulate your mind and get you excited?

 

[ninerbuff]

For me, and avid 49er and SF Giants fan and NFL football fan in general, I played football as a kid. Love the game and watching the BEST players light each other up and the strategy that is used is very admirable. These guys are fast, agile and quick with most weighing 200 and up. The receivers are catching balls with their hands with the ball traveling 60 miles an hour many times. I've also trained 2 athletes who were at GMU at my time there and again I was impressed at their physical ability.
The biggest thing though is that you share a common interest along with other fans and it's really easy to bond. I remember when the SF GIANTS won the Series and everyone around each other was hugging or high fiving.............and we didn't know each other at all. It's great to be happy and be able to "talk smack" about your favorite teams. All in all I think it's about how it makes you feel as a person and if it adds to your life for the better then keep enjoying it.
People get excited about something where others don't. Talk about bodybuilding competitions, and I'll listen and comment. But you may not give a rat's *** about it and think it's a ridiculous past time.

 

[Kathryn]

The blatant hypocrisy of your post would be funny, if it wasn't so obviously unintentional.

Basically its a ball moving around a field. Sure there is strategy, but that strategy still boils down to how best to move a ball around a field. In what ways is this exciting or interesting at all? Oh woopy doo dah, the 20th dunk this game. Glad to see something different. I guess there is the thrill of your team winning, but...

It's not just about moving a ball down a field. If that's all it was, you'd be right - it wouldn't be very interesting to most people.

It's about strategy, skill, discipline, personality, human nature, teamwork, team spirit, fun, beer, cameraderie with your mates and with family, tailgating, parties, going to unique places, wearing goofy hats, you name it - in other words, fun. If you don't care for it, that's fine, but that doesn't make the ones who do inferior.

Why do people care who wins or have any team preference whatsoever? Most players just get traded around, so to prefer the home team or the team one grew up loving is a completely arbitrary bias. I think the fact that there is a correlation between the home team doing poorly and spousal abuse in that area going up pretty much sums up the mindest of the people that care the most.

I think that's a stretch.

But let's talk about home teams. For instance, I am a New Orleans Saints fan. I am from New Orleans. My family is from New Orleans. I am very emotionally attached to a very enigmatic city - the Crescent City.

The Saints haven't always been a winning team. When they were losers for decades, Saints fans called ourselves Aints. We still loved the team. Why? Because it's fun. And because something about the Saints resonated with us - they were "our team." Still are. It's not that hard to figure out.

And lastly, why do people it consider it weird for somebody, especially a guy, to not be into sports? The next time somebody asks me if I saw the game, or who my favorite team is, and they display any sort of dismay when I say I don't really care at all, do I have the right to tell them just how stupid their past time is? And how I would rather be doing something intellectually stimulating and/or interactive? (Which would include actually PLAYING sports)

Here's where your hypocrisy really kicks in. So you think sports are stupid, and that those who enjoy them have a stupid hobby (implying heavily that THEY are stupid) - and yet you get mad when they react negatively to your disdain of sports? Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? You judge them harshly but resent being judged yourself.

Like i said, "to each their own." I respect anybody's love of watching sports, but I can't help myself from thinking they must be a bit dumb for it.

You think they're dumb. They think you're weird. Seems fair enough to me. Quit grousing - and quit spoiling the fun of others with your whining!

GEAUX, SAINTS!

 

[jmvizanko]

It's about strategy, skill, discipline, personality, human nature, teamwork, team spirit, fun, beer, cameraderie with your mates and with family, tailgating, parties, going to unique places, wearing goofy hats, you name it - in other words, fun. If you don't care for it, that's fine, but that doesn't make the ones who do inferior.

But you don't get any input into the strategy, skill, teamwork, or discipline being used. You just sit there and get to say "that was a [crappy or awesome] play."

For instance, I am a New Orleans Saints fan. I am from New Orleans. My family is from New Orleans. I am very emotionally attached to a very enigmatic city - the Crescent City.

The Saints haven't always been a winning team. When they were losers for decades, Saints fans called ourselves Aints. We still loved the team. Why? Because it's fun. And because something about the Saints resonated with us - they were "our team." Still are. It's not that hard to figure out.

Actually, it is hard to figure out. Why are they "your team?" Why do you give a crap about the guys they recruit from wherever, to come make millions in the stadium closest to you instead of the guys recruited from wherever to go make millions at the next stadium over?

I think it makes a great analogy for arbitrarily acquired religious belief as well. Sheer curiosity, were you raised Christian?

Here's where your hypocrisy really kicks in. So you think sports are stupid, and that those who enjoy them have a stupid hobby (implying heavily that THEY are stupid) - and yet you get mad when they react negatively to your disdain of sports? Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? You judge them harshly but resent being judged yourself.

Except that I've never told any of them that they are stupid, or asked them about [insert any other hobby or event] expecting them to know about it and/or give a rats butt about it. And I wouldn't. What about having an interest in sports gives many of the interested people a reason to assume it must have something so great that it is universally interesting? I don't see this happening for anything else. Which is why your cry of hypocrisy is unwarranted.

You think they're dumb. They think you're weird. Seems fair enough to me. Quit grousing - and quit spoiling the fun of others with your whining!

I started a debate, and I gave my opinion. If I'm spoiling anybody's fun, they probably shouldn't have clicked on a thread titled "Why does anyone care about watching sports?"

GEAUX, SAINTS!

Sheer curiosity, would you still exclaim that if you moved?

 

[Kathryn]

But you don't get any input into the strategy, skill, teamwork, or discipline being used. You just sit there and get to say "that was a [crappy or awesome] play." And you have nothing to do with the teamwork.

Right - and I don't have any input when I go see "The Nutcracker" or a symphony. I still enjoy the display and experience of excellence.

Actually, it is hard to figure out. Why are they "your team?" Why do you give a crap about the guys they recruit from wherever, to come make millions in the stadium closest to you instead of the guys recruited from wherever to go make millions at the next stadium over?

Because in spite of their income (if the market will bear it, more power to them - but then, I'm a capitalist), they also pump millions and millions of dollars into the local economy. It's a win/win situation - even if they have a losing season. Their "ball playing" creates thousands of jobs, millions of dollars of revenue and tax dollars which are pumped back into the economy of the city they represent. That's a good thing.

In the case of the Saints, that team has been a huge help, both financially and emotionally, in the rebuilding of New Orleans after Katrina.

Except that I've never told any of them that they are stupid, or asked them about [insert any other hobby or event] expecting them to know about it and/or give a rats butt about it.

Are you offended when people discuss the weather? What about the economy? Are you offended when people strike up casual conversation with you on other topics? Sheeze, they're just trying to be conversational and pleasant - which it seems is more than can be said for you.

And you're toying with the idea of calling them out on it - and I'm sure you've already expressed your disdain for their interest. That's OK too. It's called free speech. Just don't be shocked when people practice it back at you.

I wonder, why do you feel the need to ridicule those who have an interest in sports? You're not into it. OK. But the ridicule is another matter altogether. I'm not talking about here on a debate forum. We expect to debate things here. I'm talking about in day to day conversations. What's wrong with just being pleasant?

Occasionally people try to talk to me about NASCAR or wrestling. Honestly, I couldn't care less about these things. But I don't feel a burning irritation or need to lash out at them about their own personal interests. I just smile and say something benign like, "Oh, I don't really keep up with that - but I'm sure it's a lot of fun for lots of people!"

I really like studying the history of Russia. I get some weird looks when i start discussing Peter the Great. Oh well.

What about having an interest in sports gives many of the interested people a reason to assume it must have something so great that it is universally interesting? I don't see this happening for anything else. Which is why your cry of hypocrisy is unwarranted.

No it's not - people try to make connections, they try to be conversational, and they talk about all sorts of things - the weather, the news, movies, TV, video games, cell phones, and sports, just to name a few common topics. I don't watch reality shows - but I hear people talking about them all the time, and they often turn around and ask me what I thought about this week's Jersey Shore or American Idol.

So what? I didn't watch the show. That doesn't mean I feel the need to get snarky with them about it. I just shrug and say, "Oh, I don't keep up with all that."

I also don't get all bent out of shape when someone says, "I tried to text you about such and such," and I say, "Oh, I don't have text enabled on my phone," and they look absolutely shocked, as if it's unfathomable that anyone could live without texting. I just think it's funny. I don't feel the need to ridicule them about their addiction to their cell phone.

I started a debate, and I gave my opinion. If I'm spoiling anybody's fun, they probably shouldn't have clicked on a thread titled "Why does anyone care about watching sports?"

You're not spoiling anyone's fun here, as far as I can tell. We're here to debate. My question is why you would want to spoil the fun of "real life people" with your dismissive attitude. So you're not into sports. That's OK - but that doesn't mean that those who are, are stupid. Your words, not mine by the way.

Sheer curiosity, would you still exclaim that if you moved?

I haven't lived in New Orleans for decades. I live in Texas, and during football season, I fly a New Orleans Saints flag from my front porch.

So - yes. I am a loyal Saints fan, regardless of my locale. I think you will find that most sports fans are loyal to their favorite teams regardless of where they live at the present.

I like to see the improvements that the Saints have brought, and continue to bring, to my beloved city of New Orleans. And I think that Sean Peyton and Drew Brees are exemplary men of character.

 

[jmvizanko]

Right - and I don't have any input when I go see "The Nutcracker" or a symphony. I still enjoy the display and experience of excellence.

Fair enough. But I guess I can't do anything about the fact that I see these other things you list as being much more intellectually stimulating.

Are you offended when people discuss the weather? What about the economy? Are you offended when people strike up casual conversation with you on other topics? Sheeze, they're just trying to be conversational and pleasant - which it seems is more than can be said for you.

I think you missed something. I'm not offended when people bring up anything. I just think its rude when somebody brings something up, and then thinks its strange that I am not into whatever they are bringing up. I had somebody word for word tell me, after I said (politely, but thank for assuming I'm just a d!ck) I'm just not really a sport person, "well that's weird." Something I would never do about any topic/acitivity/hobby, except in response to somebody that went there first. I am almost always I highly pleasant person.

That's OK - but that doesn't mean that those who are, are stupid. Your words, not mine by the way.

I know very intelligent people that are into sports, so I am only making a generalization. But its still an accurate one from my experience; the more intelligent people I have known have less interest in sports. And yes, I do think that that is because it is an interest that is much less intellectually stimulating.

So - yes. I am a loyal Saints fan, regardless of my locale. I think you will find that most sports fans are loyal to their favorite teams regardless of where they live at the present.

And the similarity to religious indoctrination continues. If you had grown up elsewhere, you probably would be a loyal [some other team] fan. I know its a bit irrelevant to the topic, although the mindset that crosses both realms is why I ask, but once again, were you raised to be Christian?

 

[jmvizanko]

Well first off, what interests stimulate your mind and get you excited?

I'd say off the top of my head, the top activities I am passionate about are:

Debate of science, religion, and politics, mostly online. (its harder to find people wanting to discuss these things in person)

Furthering my physics and math knowledge.

Downhill and water sports. (doing them, not watching them)

Multiplayer first person shooters and strategy games.

 

[doppelganger]

Just to add another level to the discussion, what do you make of this approach?

Is Sport a Religion? | Psychology Today

Psychologists are closing in on the conclusion that sport has many of the same effects on spectators as religion does. Here is Daniel Wann [2001], a leading sport psychologist at Murray State University, and his co-authors:
"The similarities between sport fandom and organized religion are striking. Consider the vocabulary associated with both: faith, devotion, worship, ritual, dedication, sacrifice, commitment, spirit, prayer, suffering, festival, and celebration." p. 198

It may seem odd, to equate religion with sport entertainment but it must be understood that prior to mass communications, religious ceremonies were a source of entertainment for ordinary people who rarely attended a theater or traveled to a sporting event. Sports and religion may get categorized separately but their intersection is difficult to miss.

 

[ninerbuff]

I'd say off the top of my head, the top activities I am passionate about are:

Debate of science, religion, and politics, mostly online. (its harder to find people wanting to discuss these things in person)

Furthering my physics and math knowledge.

Downhill and water sports. (doing them, not watching them)

Multiplayer first person shooters and strategy games.

Now people who don't have the same intellect would think that these are boring, non exciting, past times that don't warrant any free time.
Along with sports, I also get excited about wanting to learn and be involved with math, science, religious debate.
I train athletes from time to time, so it would be in my best interest to find out about the sport they compete in and ensure that the workouts I do for them will complement and strengthen them in it.
But again, while you find sports cheering boorish and ridiculous, I'm willing to bet that you probably aren't the life of a party either. What I gather is that you're a person who likes to play or enjoy your "individual" fun, and are probably not really good at teaming up with someone. At least it seems that way.

 

[doppelganger]

Are (1) Nationalism, (2) sports fandom and (3) religious identity just different manifestations of the same psychological impulses?

 

[jmvizanko]

Now people who don't have the same intellect would think that these are boring, non exciting, past times that don't warrant any free time.
Along with sports, I also get excited about wanting to learn and be involved with math, science, religious debate.
I train athletes from time to time, so it would be in my best interest to find out about the sport they compete in and ensure that the workouts I do for them will complement and strengthen them in it.
But again, while you find sports cheering boorish and ridiculous, I'm willing to bet that you probably aren't the life of a party either. What I gather is that you're a person who likes to play or enjoy your "individual" fun, and are probably not really good at teaming up with someone. At least it seems that way.

Quite to the contrary. I am extremely outgoing in social settings.

And only one of the four activities I mentioned are loner activities. A boat packed full of people, my best friends on my squads, and debating online are not "individual fun." (although the last one is probably a stretch)

I'm not trying to say I'm better than anyone. Smarter perhaps, but that is what it is. I am trying to understand why watching sports is interesting to anyone.

 

[AfterGlow]

I also find sports dull, but I understand why other people like them. What I don't understand is why they insist on talking to me about it when they know I don't give a monkeys.