Why Sports Matter

Why do sports matter?

It sounds like a simple question, but, to me, the answer runs deep.

Sports are not just games. They are not just scores, standings, or highlights on social media. At their core, sports are about people. They are about identity, connection, emotion, and meaning.

Sports Bring People Together

Think about the last big game you watched. Maybe it was a college rivalry, the Super Bowl, March Madness, or an intramural championship. Chances are you were not alone. You were texting friends, sitting with family, or surrounded by strangers who suddenly felt like teammates.

Sports create shared experiences. For a few hours, differences in politics, income, background, or beliefs fade into the background. Everyone is locked in on the same moment. That kind of unity is rare.

At the college level especially, sports become part of campus culture. Students, alumni, and community members rally around the same colors and traditions. Years after graduation, people still feel connected to their school through its teams. That emotional tie becomes part of who they are.

Sports Shape Identity

It is interesting how often fans say “we won” or “we lost.” They were not on the field, but they feel ownership over the outcome. That is because sports tap into something deeper than entertainment. They give people a sense of belonging.

Teams represent cities. Universities represent shared experiences. National teams represent entire countries. When those teams succeed, people feel pride. When they struggle, fans feel disappointment, but they usually stay loyal.

In most industries, customers leave when they are unhappy. In sports, fans stick around through losing seasons and heartbreak. It is not just a product to them. It is part of their identity.

Sports Teach Life Skills

Participation in sports teaches lessons that last far beyond the final whistle. Discipline. Teamwork. Accountability. Leadership. Resilience.

Athletes learn what it means to commit to something bigger than themselves. They learn how to handle failure in public and keep moving forward. They learn how to balance confidence with humility. Those lessons show up later in classrooms, workplaces, and relationships.

Even as spectators, people learn something. Watching a team fight through adversity reinforces ideas about perseverance and hope. Sports tell stories about what is possible when people work together and refuse to quit.

Sports Are Emotional

Few things in life generate emotion like sports. Joy, heartbreak, anger, excitement. Sometimes all within a few minutes.

What makes sports unique is that those emotions are shared. When a team wins a championship, entire cities celebrate together. When a heartbreaking loss happens, millions feel it at the same time.

That emotional connection is part of why sports matter so much. They are woven into memories. People remember where they were when their team won a title or lost in dramatic fashion. Those moments become part of personal history.

Sports Matter Economically

Beyond culture and emotion, sports are a major economic force. They create jobs, drive tourism, generate media revenue, and influence local development. Stadiums and arenas become landmarks. Major events bring global attention.

But the business side of sports is never just about money. Because sports mean so much to people, financial decisions often carry emotional and ethical weight. Issues like public funding, athlete compensation, and access to opportunity spark serious debate.

Sports operate at the intersection of passion and profit, and that balance matters.

Sports Reflect Society

Sports do not exist in isolation. They reflect the values and tensions of the world around them. Conversations about equality, mental health, gender equity, and labor rights often show up in sports because sports are so visible.

Athletes have platforms. Teams represent communities. Leagues shape public conversations. When something happens in sports, people pay attention.

That visibility gives sports the power to inspire change, but it also creates responsibility. How sports are governed and managed sends a message about what we value.

So Why Do Sports Matter?

Because they connect us.

Because they challenge us.

Because they give us something to believe in.

Sports provide structure in an unpredictable world. Seasons come and go. Rivalries continue. Traditions are passed down. In the middle of change and uncertainty, sports offer something steady.

They are not just games. They are stories. They are communities. They are emotional outlets. They are classrooms. They are businesses. They are reflections of who we are.

That is why sports matter.

And I promise you, this industry to continue to thrive, it needs ethical leaders like those found among the student body at BYU-Idaho.