Can someone explain the sports cult-like phnomenon to me?

T.O.Bass · #1 11-20-2008, 11:29 AM

Okay, I know the title sounds bad, I don't intend it to be. Let me clarify: I just don't understand why people get really involved in following sports, particularly team sports. That's not to say I don't watch sports on a rare occasion. I do watch the olympics, and pretty much any championship-type game, because I'm always curious as to the limits the human body can be pushed. I enjoy participating is sports, (I snowboard, and in general enjoy getting ouside and doing something physical) but I just don't get what all the hullabaloo is about with people who religiously follow a sport, an individual, or the wierdest of all to me, a team.

Why do you, sports fans, LOVE sports so much - not participating, but OBSERVING? I'm especially interested to hear from people that play no sports whatsoever what their attraction is to swearing allegiance to the Leafs, or the Sharks, or the Midget Hermaphrodites, or whatever.

T.O.Bass · #2 11-20-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Does this really need to be spelled out for you? A simple understanding of sociology would help explain things. Some people have favorite teams they wish to do well, sometimes because the team is from their hometown, or their favorite player is on that team, or maybe they won $100 in a football pool because of that team. Some people are just more into sports than you are. Not myself.. I watch sports, usually at the bar, not always, I dont have any favorite teams or whatever, but it doesnt mean I dont get that others do. This question shouldnt have to be asked.

Many people like teams not from their hometown.

Does the favorite team change if the favorite player is moved to another team?

I don't think it's self explanatory. To me it's one of the most baffling social phenomena there are.

MatticusMania · #3 11-20-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.O.Bass

Many people like teams not from their hometown.

Does the favorite team change if the favorite player is moved to another team?

I don't think it's self explanatory. To me it's one of the most baffling social phenomena there are.

I removed my post because I realized it wasnt very insightful. Maybe it is a mystery. You'd probably get a better answer from someone with a sworn allegiance to a team or player.
My dad has been a Cowboys fan for as long as I can remember, why Im not sure, he's not from Texas. And my brother is also a sworn Cowboys fan, most likely because my dad is. So maybe we can infer something from that, maybe it just has to do with loyalty and picking a favorite team for one reason or another. Its not something Ive really ever stopped to question.

MatticusMania · #4 11-20-2008, 11:49 AM

Maybe a better answer woul be 'they just do'

**baba** · #5 11-20-2008, 12:02 PM

I think a feeling of belonging, brotherhood, and community is something we gravitate towards. Among other things, following a sports team provides this.

I also think we are genetically wired for competition and conflict. While war still exists, smaller tribal warfare has mostly vanished in "civilized" society (exception:gangs), and sports are an outlet that fills this need/desire.

winston · #6 11-20-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

I think a feeling of belonging, brotherhood, and community is something we gravitate towards. Among other things, following a sports team provides this.

I also think we are genetically wired for competition and conflict. While war still exists, smaller tribal warfare has mostly vanished in "civilized" society (exception:gangs), and sports are an outlet that fills this need/desire.

I was going to answer similarly but you beat me to it. As Brian Eno said, "I think sport is encouraged by governments to channel what would be male revolutionary energy into totally pointless activities. Sport is a great technique of social control. I always watch the Olympics, mind you."

T.O.Bass · #7 11-20-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

I think a feeling of belonging, brotherhood, and community is something we gravitate towards. Among other things, following a sports team provides this.

I also think we are genetically wired for competition and conflict. While war still exists, smaller tribal warfare has mostly vanished in "civilized" society (exception:gangs), and sports are an outlet that fills this need/desire.

I definitely see the comparison between the modern stadium and the gladiator arena, especially with sports like hockey and rugby (and in a more crude sense, boxing, mma, etc).

I can also see the community thing as well, but I guess I find it odd that people choose sports as a way of bolstering social solidarity. I mean, what is the attraction to being in a community/brotherhood with people you don't know/talk to/interact with, save for a select few?

T.O.Bass · #8 11-20-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston

As Brian Eno said, "I think sport is encouraged by governments to channel what would be male revolutionary energy into totally pointless activities. Sport is a great technique of social control. I always watch the Olympics, mind you."

Now THAT'S something I haven't heard before. Wow.

funkalicious101 · #9 11-20-2008, 12:11 PM

Some people need something to live vicariously through.

**baba** · #10 11-20-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.O.Bass

I mean, what is the attraction to being in a community/brotherhood with people you don't know/talk to/interact with, save for a select few?

Perhaps it's a perception vs reality thing. If it makes someone feel like they belong to a group, does it really matter how much interaction they actually have?

T.O.Bass · #11 11-20-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

Perhaps it's a perception vs reality thing. If it makes someone feel like they belong to a group, does it really matter how much interaction they actually have?

Kind of like an online forum?

**baba** · #12 11-20-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.O.Bass

Kind of like an online forum?

T.O.Bass · #13 11-20-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkalicious101

Some people need something to live vicariously through.

I didn't want to say it, but I'm sure this is the case for at least some people.

cdef · #14 11-20-2008, 12:45 PM

I'm with Eno on this, but there are those who have, for whatever reason, acquired a taste for and an overview of a particular team, have followed them for years and can analyze their performance each season. New coach, new players... kind of like following a favorite long-term band through changes in line-up and producers, although on a yearly basis.

hbarcat · #15 11-20-2008, 01:05 PM

A sports team is something you can cheer for and invest a lot of emotion in unconditionally. This is different from any other cause people commit to such as politics or religion or a career or an ideology where you need reasons to support something or participate in it. You support your sports team because they're your team and that's that. You don't have to justify or explain it.

VJP · #16 11-20-2008, 01:42 PM

I look at it as entertainment. You are being entertained by others talent. No different than a concert, movie, TV show. You are not participating in any of those events. You sit (or stand) and watch.

**MAJOR METAL** · #17 11-20-2008, 01:56 PM

I often ask myself why I never developed an interest in sports. Every now and again I turn it on for the ocassional eye candy but just for a few moments.

lunarpollen · #18 11-20-2008, 01:59 PM

Most people have a conditioned need (which I can't identifiy with, personally) to attach their egos to things like sports teams, the locations they live in, specific celebrities, American Idol contestants, political parties and certain politicians, etc. Sports leagues, TV networks, wealthy special interests, politicians, etc. exploit this need in people in order to instigate mass consumption of whatever product(s) they are trying to pass off onto the masses.

There is a huge difference between appreciating things for their own merits and being partisan and provincial.

DudeistMonk · #19 11-20-2008, 02:12 PM

The governmental control of people is an interesting perspective it does work in their favor, I can't say it came about this way, but I'm sure it is an unseen benefit.

I would also like to point out that big bulky/fast/strong people who would dominate hunter gatherer society, regardless of their intelligence, play sports and everyone else is instinctually driven to follow them and they do, with great passion.

Sports are also born out of youth activity, you play as a kid and you watch the pros because you learn from them and because you want to be like them....Just like us with music.

Then there is also the conversation thing...If I wind up next to a random guy at the bar the first topic they throw out it "Did you see the game?" Of course I have not and the conversation dies instantly...I could talk for hours about old Beatles vs. new(er) Beatles, but most people would rather converse about that touch down last night.

stratovani · #20 11-20-2008, 02:17 PM

It's a tribal thing. Don't forget, for tens of thousands of years humanity lived in small tribal units scattered all over the globe. It's human nature to identify with a group of humans engaged in a certain activity. It's ingrained in our DNA. It's the reason why some like sports, some like music groups, some get involved with political parties, and still others involve themselves with various civic or religious groups. Humans generally don't like to live alone, or should I say live lives of isolation. We need to identify with a group (or tribe). And the largest tribes of all are countries.