Liking or not liking sports

[Malaikah]

Is liking or not liking sports or a particular sport genetic?
Yes. I think so.
What do you think?

I believe not having any interest especially in team sport like soccer, cricket etc saves a lot of your time compared to other guys or girls who diligently follow the game for hours.

[TooLittleTime]

It is as much a cultural and bonding thing. I have seen people who had no interest getting very involved just because of a relationship they are in. And sometimes, the interest becomes real.

It is another form of entertainment. I like football - both versions, hate baseball, and like watching basketball in person but on TV, forget it. I can tolerate a baseball game in person, barely. Too many games and no equity across teams in North America. Hockey is great.

But I have never been a fanatic, I don't get mad or upset if I miss a game I might have wanted to watch because something else came up.

So, genetic... I don't directly think so. Influences, yes, but genetics influence everything.

[on the rocks]

Like anything else, I'm sure it's some combination of nature and nurture.  I think there are some cats who innately have or don't have the desire for competition; either as a participant or an observer. Just watch a group of young children at like recess during school. Some will jump at the chance to join an impromptu athletic competition; toss the ball around or whatever.  And others will be more content looking for bugs under the jungle gym.

But I think it's hard to understate the influence of those around a person as they form a fandom for a sport or a team.  It gets all wrapped up in some kind of civic or national pride depending on the sport.  And it's one of those community experiences that's easy to jump into.  What I like to point out is the idea of the "sports nerd".  Because sports is just another thing people can nerd out about. Only difference is it's been "cool" to be a sports nerd for like all of time.  Like what is the difference between knowing how many yards so-and-so threw for in 2005 and naming all the bridge officers from any given Star Trek series?

[Just teaching her CPR]

I can understand the hype of massive sports events like the world cup, but I really don't the sports fanatic types who kill and die for a symbol of a club, whereas the players earn millions and will switch to the opposing team without batting an eye if the pay is better.

I think sports cater well to the need a lot of people have for belonging. Back in the day we belonged to things like tribes, clans and whatnot. Nowadays most people live in big cities where you see thousands of people a day but don't speak even to your neighbor in most cases. Some people are not that close even to family members anymore. So they sublimate it with things like sports.