Can you watch sport without supporting a team?

[Kermit power]

I find that I can watch almost any sport so long as I can decide who "my" team is for that match, but even for sports I really enjoy, I tend to struggle to stay engaged as a spectator.

As an example, I turned the TV on earlier and happened upon Bradford vs Leeds in the Rugby League Challenge Cup. Normally I wouldn't go looking for rugby league, but I turned on as they were explaining how Bradford were massive underdogs as a lower division semi pro team and that was it. I had "my" team, and was hooked right through to the fairytale ending.

Now, on the other hand, I'm on to the Rugby Union European Champions Cup final. It's a sport I love, and should be a much better spectacle, but both teams just leave me cold, so I'm struggling to enjoy it.

Anyone else feel the need to take ownership of a team to really enjoy a game?

[Blib]

I'm partial to a bit of baseball on TV. I "support" the Mets the A's and the Giants, merely because I've seen games at their stadia. With any other TV game I support the visitors.

Unless it's the Yankees. fk the Yankees.

[poing]

Depends on the sport I guess. I can watch snooker without really supporting any players. I have some F1 drivers/teams I prefer but wouldn't say I support anyone. In fact same with most motorsport for me.

[Kermit power]

Blib said:

With any other TV game I support the visitors.

Oh, that's a very good point, thanks!

Leinster have a huge unfair advantage playing their theoretically neutral semi final effectively at home, so I've decided to take that as an affront to fair play, and am now supporting Sarries.

[MYOB]

Yep, I can only watch and enjoy sport if I'm support the team.

[227bhp]

Yes. I watch F1 and don't really care who wins.

I'm odd in that I won't compete in anything unless I have a chance of winning though, I can see no point in being an alsoran.

[JustALooseScrew]

Kermit power said:

and am now supporting Sarries.

Yey! You won (What a game of Rugby that was.)

I think I'm much the same, I like sport for sport's sake and all I really want to see is fair play.

I coach mini and youth rugby and all the coaches in our club are trying nothing more than to achieve our kids wanting to come back time and time again to training and matches.

Fortunately my lad is big into playing sport, and really there is nothing else for the kids in this town other than mischief.

Today we were out on the Grandparent's lawn playing bowls - my attempts were ste (poorly elbow) so I said 'Hang on - I need to go grab some sandpaper to fix this ball'.

I think we, like you just watch every sport and watch it for the sake of watching it, everything from GAA, Rugby, Curling, Golf, Cricket, Tour de France, IOM-TT, F1, even the Redbull races.

What we two are looking at is the sportsman that are just edging it.

To be honest though football/soccer leaves me cold - I can't find any interest in Liverpool or MANU or MANC or Arsenal or Chelsea - my sister can though - she just tells me 'but look at their thighs'

[AJB88]

Lad at the gym told me I'm not a real football fan (I support West Ham & Lazio) because I wasn't cheering on Tottenham against Ajax and I should support the English team, asked him if he had ever been to a football match and his response was no (I'm over in Italy a lot for Lazio matches home and away) and then he announces he doesn't support a team, he supports Football.

Thing the whole thing about sport is the sense of belonging to a team even if your taking part or spectating. I do quite often go to see my mates football team play who play in a league 3 leagues below West Ham, for that day suppose I support my mates team.

[Teddy Lop]

We watch lots of motorsport where we don't have skin in the game, and have even gone to spectate blancpain and truck racing which aren't series we follow but you know there'll be some excitement. But then, other series we follow closely and have our favourites but still enjoy seeing someone unusual/outsider have a result.

[Derek Smith]

I support a level 5 club in rugby, so it's not on TV, but it is local, at least for half the matches. I watch Premiership rugby on TV and it's great not favouring either team. I get to enjoy the play.

[AJB88]

Teddy Lop said:

We watch lots of motorsport where we don't have skin in the game, and have even gone to spectate blancpain and truck racing which aren't series we follow but you know there'll be some excitement. But then, other series we follow closely and have our favourites but still enjoy seeing someone unusual/outsider have a result.

I'm the same have/still do support teams/drivers in F1,BTCC,WTCC,TCR etc but can go and watch truck racing and just enjoy the racing.