Same reason some people are into watching video games, talent shows or even actors.
There’s loads of interest to be found in spectating a skilled display of any activity if you truly engage with it IMO.
I sometimes watch sports I’ve barely got a grasp of the rules for just out of fascination. GAA hurling is the most recent one I can recall getting sucked into for an afternoon.
i think there’s some sports that are a bit acquired tastes, like I don’t think the skill is immediately apparent the first time watching soccer, it’s “just people running around”. The strategy, technique etc is not immediately apparent. As opposed to like skateboard tricks or dry tooling/ice climbing competitions, which also have depth but are impressive without any prior knowledge, imo.
For me personally, it’s the fan aspect I don’t get. What’s the point of projecting the us vs. them mentality on some team, “we won”, and foflowing a team almost religiously, even building ones own identity around it, at least in part. In general, getting so emotionally invested in it, i don’t understand. And it seems to mostly be a team sport thing.
Team sport fandom traditionally trends with locality. You grow up with going to the local football stadium on the weekend as one of the options for how you spend your time. Your mates have the same choices, so even if you never pick it, you’re gonna hear about it at the very least
If you spend your time with a team, you get to know the players (which is kinda parasocial in most instances, ngl) and in many cases watch them grow over the years into incredible athletes.
Naturally, people end up proud of the people they support, doing well. It’s part of the human condition
Same reason some people are into watching video games, talent shows or even actors.
There’s loads of interest to be found in spectating a skilled display of any activity if you truly engage with it IMO.
I sometimes watch sports I’ve barely got a grasp of the rules for just out of fascination. GAA hurling is the most recent one I can recall getting sucked into for an afternoon.
i think there’s some sports that are a bit acquired tastes, like I don’t think the skill is immediately apparent the first time watching soccer, it’s “just people running around”. The strategy, technique etc is not immediately apparent. As opposed to like skateboard tricks or dry tooling/ice climbing competitions, which also have depth but are impressive without any prior knowledge, imo.
For me personally, it’s the fan aspect I don’t get. What’s the point of projecting the us vs. them mentality on some team, “we won”, and foflowing a team almost religiously, even building ones own identity around it, at least in part. In general, getting so emotionally invested in it, i don’t understand. And it seems to mostly be a team sport thing.
Hopefully I can illuminate
Team sport fandom traditionally trends with locality. You grow up with going to the local football stadium on the weekend as one of the options for how you spend your time. Your mates have the same choices, so even if you never pick it, you’re gonna hear about it at the very least
If you spend your time with a team, you get to know the players (which is kinda parasocial in most instances, ngl) and in many cases watch them grow over the years into incredible athletes.
Naturally, people end up proud of the people they support, doing well. It’s part of the human condition