Is watching sport a waste of time?

I started getting into football (or soccer for those outside of Europe) around two years ago. My dad is an avid Rangers supporter and I watch every game too. But I have no actual involvement in the game itself, the players are the ones on the pitch while I'm sitting on the sofa. Is watching sport a waste of time? Should I spend my time better on other things?

 

That's how I feel too. The games are always on at the worst times when I need to be working but I don't want to miss one. With European football, fans are a lot more involved with the teams with ultras, tifos, fan ownership, etc which is what brought me into the sport. I want to feel as if I am actively involved rather than a mindless consumer. Sports teams are meant to be part of a community, not another dumb brand to fill the void in my life.

 

Started watching football as a way to become closer to my dad since we don't share much. Before that, I had barely even watched a game, more so focused on my other hobbies. Gradually I began to understand the rules and the fan culture then got into it. Bought the kits and found some YouTubers to gain a better view of the sport like COPA90 and Maqwell. Started following different clubs like Rangers, Celtic, Palermo, Luton, Blackpool, Liverpool, NYCFC, FC Tokyo, etc from various leagues. I found that I enjoyed learning about the trivia and history more than the actual sport itself. When I see the players on the pitch I realize I have no connection to them at all. It fulfills a primal urge of belonging without any growth or satisfaction. It's a distraction and nothing more. Most teams are corrupt and have billionaire owners that fund clubs with oil money. All the time I have spent watching sports could have been spent building up new skills.

 

That's the thing, there are people who revolve their whole life around sport. It seems like such a waste of time and opportunity. Football used to be recreational, working-class. All the players were humble and had no big wages like today. That's why it's called the beautiful game. Every team is a brand nowadays with £20 mil a week contracts when there are doctors and nurses out saving people. It's sickening.

 

Too late for me, i can barely do pushups nevermind play a sport

 

All the local leagues are too competitive, they only accept experienced players. And I haven't played football since primary school.

 

I was thinking of ice hockey soon if I can buy the equipment for it.

 

I watch Rangers games with my dad sometimes and other clubs too neutrally as a hobby. But some people make it their whole lives and I never really understood that. My dad refuses to wear green because of Celtic.

 

With smaller leagues, it's less predictable and less money-focused. Scottish football is fun albeit has been on a decline in recent years. An unpredictable league is the best league regardless of its size and play quality.