Need Advice: How Do I Make Myself Like Watching Sports?
I'm a college senior starting on the buyside after I graduate, and I need some advice.
It feels like I am the only straight man who has zero interest in watching sports, as in I'm so uninterested in sports that I don't even know enough to follow along if a game is on (let alone know the names of most teams or athletes).
I know nobody is going to dislike me or anything because of this, but I know so little I can't even participate in a sports related conversation, and not being able to participate in a significant portion of non-work related conversations certainly isn't going to win me any friends.
I'm a relatively outgoing person so this hasn't been a huge issue at my internships because I've been able to change the topic to a common interest like movies/TV, but I know I can't always do this.
And it's not like I'm uninterested for some pretentious reason like "it's a waste of time" or something, I just don't find it interesting at all.
Anyone have any advice for making myself more interested in sports?
In the likely event I can't force myself to be interested, what're some things I should know so I can at least keep up with conversations? I assume just knowing the score of a recent game isn't going to help much because people seem to talk about other things like "did you see that pass that John Doe did at the 40 yard line?" (again I literally have no clue what people are even saying).
Start gambling on sports - you will immediately become more interested
Even if it’s meant as a joke this is 1000% true lmao. Throwing just $5 on a game or a player prop will dramatically increase your interest in the game- just be careful and know your limits to not get addicted.
What is it that you don't like about sports?
There is something for everyone and if you identify what it is you might like, it will help get you more interested in following a sport. For example:
- maybe you like technical/skill development, like cool footwork
- maybe you like athletics or skiing or caber toss and their historical applications (like training for war)
- maybe you like the competition in sports (like racing) or teamwork
If all of this fails, then use a sports app or website to read up on the latest developments and pretend like you care. Generally people talk about the same sports, like golf or boxing or tennis or sailing.
Who the hell talks about sailing?
When your senior's hobby is sailing, you talk about sailing.
I actually dislike most sports but enjoy sailing, so seeing teams competing at levels above me is interesting
If somebody tries to pivot from a water cooler sport to sailing, I’m going to refill my drink
I am the same way, and at least for me it seems almost like sex: you're either into it or you're not. And, if you're not into it, it's really hard to get yourself to be.
I don't really like this analogy. Most guys that love sports were probably exposed to them at young age. Often through their parents, older siblings, and/or friends. If you weren't then I guess that boat just sailed
People like *sex* because of tens of thousands of years of evolutionary imprinting. The asexual cavemen that didn't want to smash probably didn't make many little asexual cavemen to carry this forward. Loss of interest in sex is a valid reason to see a medical professional.
Outside of SEC country maybe, I don't think you can say the same about not liking sports
Isn't physical education a requirement in most schools around the world?
Most guys outside of WSO like sports but find something else that can help you with male bonding. Guys are interested in two things outside of work and school: sports and girls. If you do not like sports, chat it up with the guys about girls. If you do not like girls or sports, you can join the chess club.
If you really want to get interested in sports, learn how to play one. There are probably plenty of recreational team at school.
Look up the standings of whatever sport they're talking about and look for the worst team. For example, the Washington Wizards are 6-34. If anyone asks you about basketball say, "Idk I'm a Wizards fan, they suck." You'll probably get a "Damn, I'm sorry." and they'll keep it moving or clown you a little bit. You may even gain a little respect for having the balls to rep a team that's complete trash. You'll have an excuse for not caring because you're a disgruntled fan that can't be bothered to follow anything when your team sucks so much. If they ask why you're a fan of such a trash team, just say you used to watch games with your dad or something when you were a kid if you're not from Washington or have a logical answer. If they ask who your favorite player was say "Idk I was a kid, I just liked watching the games with my dad cause that's the only time we spent together." They'll stop prying after that, and they won't think you're weird. You'll just get clowned every now and then depending on how much they like you.
That's gonna give you the biggest bang for your buck. And just memorize the name of the best player on the team and say he's trash too. It'll make you look knowledgeable.
You can also research whatever narrative is going on about why they're so trash if you care.
I'm a lifelong Knicks fan so I'm experienced with this. They only just started getting good. The last time they were good was the 90s and haven't won a championship since the 70s. People left me alone.
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Just watch highlights of big games so you can have a relevant response in conversations, it’s like keeping up with the news
I feel this as someone in the same position but ultimately like… who cares yk, why spend ur time learning ab something boring just so u can participate in conversations that aren’t that meaningful for u ultimately
Funny enough, there are newsletters out there for people like you who don't watch sports but gives you enough to shoot the shit at work, including the right words to use lol.
If you have a genuine interest, since you're going to be making buyside $, I'd suggest seeing a couple of games live. That's how I got into hockey. Plus I love being around fans and the whole atmosphere.
Baseball is boring af on TV but depending on the franchise, the atmosphere at games is really fun. I spent a lot of time in the cheap outfield seats at the old Yankee stadium and man, that was fun. Same with soccer (just not MLS, that shit sucks). Hockey is super intense live, the game is really fast and physical and doesn't show well on TV. Football, where do I even start, a must have experience even if its just once. Basketball fun too.
Interest in baseball goes way beyond watching games. People who are very into baseball spend time with others discussing strategy, batting orders, farm systems, contracts, etc.
My first Jays game was in the nosebleeds sitting next to a couple of strangers manually tracking stats. Struck up a conversation and man, the depth of knowledge was truly incredible. Really made the game much more enjoyable.
what r the newsletters?
I would start by just watching all of the Netflix series about sports like Drive to Survive, Full Swing, etc. those focus a little more on the personalities in the sport and the underlying story lines of the season. If you become a little more invested in the lives of the participants then that may spark your interest across the sport and maybe even into watching it
Either start playing one of them or betting on one of them. It'll come naturally.
Literally just start following a couple of your local teams and slowly you’ll get knowledge.
most people are absolutely casuals about sports. Atleast when it comes to baseball and football. Soccer and basketball fans seem to have more knowledge of their respective sports. But in general most people you see are casuals.
In America, The Football Mafia wields pervasive influence over the business world, government, culture, and all other aspects of society.
We are a loosely organized yet tight-knit syndicate, comprised of all current and former players of American football.
We protect our own from outside threats, especially threats arriving in the form of former dorks who harbor seething nerd resentment towards our kind.
In the words of one mobster: “It is what it is, and we are what we are.”
(Lest there be any confusion among internationals, I am not referring to European football, aka soccer. I have no insight into the existence or activities of a Soccer Mafia, other than that they do not infringe on any major territories of The American Football Mafia.)
Subscribe to Sports Business Journal? Gives interesting takes about sports trends and mixes in business too. At least in my friend circle, we barely talked about sports by our late 20s when we were deeper into our careers / relationships / interested in economic + political issues etc. Most people outgrow it. Going to games is still fun but following daily scores / player movement, very few of your coworkers + peers will be doing this in 5-10 years.
Just follow football and you’ll be fine. Most people on the floor watch, and you can usually get good takes from a post podcast show like Mcafee or First things first. Also they’re pretty funny which makes it easier than sitting through a whole game
Played sports competitively pretty much my whole life but couldn't give a shit about watching/following sports outside of a premier league game here and there. Not a huge deal socially. I spend less time in environments where people are "friends" but are actually just sports/hobby buddies, and I have less of a crutch to rely on when connecting with people/making friends. It's been a net positive for me
try getting into a low stakes/casual fantasy league with friends. just by the draft rankings you will pick up which players are "good" this year and then you just let it play out and update your team for injuries, etc. You don't have to watch the games, the fantasy app will explain why your defense scored well or why your running back choked that week. Then you just center the conversation around fantasy or those players.
example, I stopped watching sports after college and got roped into my friend group's fantasy league because they needed a slot filled. I had first round draft and got the #1 running back. he was injured super early on and I could complain about that all day to anyone who would listen. Luckily, my TE, Zach Ertz had a great year and carried me to finish second. That's all you need to add to a conversation to appear knowledgable.
Or just look up who upset last night and say: so how about them XYZ.
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