I fell like Americans are able to bond over these type of things, A lot of times Americans have differences in opinion, feelings, and experiences. So with Sports, it's kind of a fifty - fifty thing. You either like this team that's competing, or you like the other team that's competing. and the people who chose the same side as you, you may know nothing about but you already have something in common. Playing sports also statistically shows that it increases one's academics, and brain activity. And helps with hand-eye coordination, and these may be only a couple more reasons parents/Authorities and school push so hard on kids and teenagers to get into sports.