Wharton Moneyball The Social Power of Sports Fandom
Oct 28, 2026
Todd Rogers, a behavioral scientist and Harvard Kennedy School professor, explores how sports fandom builds social connection. He discusses shared viewing, invitations that bring isolated fans together, seasonal rituals, easy conversation, and the sense of belonging teams can create. The conversation also covers Milwaukee’s contrarian baseball strategy, college football playoff chaos, and NFL parity.
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Four Engines Make Sports Social
- Fandom connects people through gathering, repeated rituals, easy conversation, and shared identity.
- Shared sports fandom depolarized Republicans and Democrats more effectively than shared race, hometown, or education.
Use Games To Reconnect From A Distance
- Use remote viewing, video calls, or texting to maintain connection when in-person gatherings are impossible.
- Visual and conversational interaction works best, but even texting is better than nothing.
Watching Games Makes Male Friendship Easier
- Men viewed watching a game as a far more acceptable way to reconnect than walking or dinner.
- About 95% of male fans considered sending a game invitation, with masculine norms shaping preferences.
