Why is football such an amazing spectator sport?

American football is perhaps the country’s most watched sport. In fact, more people tune in to the Superbowl than a presidential inauguration. You could boil everything down to the love of the sport, state-wide support for favorite teams, and everything else that goes on in the sidelines. According to avid football fan Ram V. Chary, you can ask a dozen football fans why they love the sport and you could get a dozen different answers. Here are some of the popular reasons football fetches such amazing spectatorship.

Image source: fisu.net

Local Pride

Football teams bring in a lot of hype for their town. Besides entertainment, they also bring in business as football matches in the college leagues as well as the NFL attract thousands of patrons per game. The local team doesn’t play just to get paid or to win, but to win on behalf of and for their hometown.

Rivalry

Over the years, rivalries have arisen between teams in different football leagues. From local leagues comprised of nearby high schools in the state to NFL teams, rivalry brings forth drama and drums up interest in any match.

Image source: europosters.eu

A Physical Sport

While other sports such as basketball or boxing are also considered contact sports, football can be considered one of the most physical-intensive sports in the country. Why else would players need heavy proper gear during the match? For some viewers, there’s nothing more beautiful than a tackle that sends another player flying.

Fantasy Leagues

Because not everyone can become coaches, fans often resort to fantasy leagues as a form of entertainment. According to Ram V. Chary, having a fantasy league in your pocket increases fan investment in players during real matches.

Ram V. Chary has a degree in economics from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in finance and operations management from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. Outside of work, he likes playing golf and watching football. Learn more about his other interests by following this Twitter account.