Why watching sports is a waste of time (And what to do instead)

Bradley Cooper and Gerard Butler at Wimbledon 2018

Photo: Getty Images

Let's be frank: there's a concerning trend among men who invest tremendous emotional and financial capital in professional sports while remaining physically inactive themselves. They'll spend hundreds on another man's jersey, thousands on season tickets, and countless hours analyzing statistics—yet never step onto a court or field themselves. This is, gentlemen, a fundamental misallocation of our resources and potential.

The Gentleman's Alternative

HRH Prince Mateen

Photo: GQ Thailand

True sophistication lies not in knowing every player's stats but in developing one's own athletic prowess. Consider these refined approaches to sports engagement:

Active Participation Over Passive Consumption

- Instead of watching three hours of soccer, join an equestrian club

- Rather than debating Wimbledon statistics, perfect your forehand at the local tennis court

- Skip the fantasy league in favor of organizing a paddle match

Strategic Network Building

The gentleman athlete understands that personal sporting endeavors create valuable connections. A round of golf with industry peers accomplishes more than a season of armchair quarterbacking. Your weekly equestrian game might lead to your next business venture, while your fantasy football league leads nowhere.

Investment in Personal Excellence

Rather than spending $1,000 on season tickets, consider:

- Personal coaching in your chosen sport

- High-quality equipment that enhances your performance

- Membership in an exclusive athletic club where connections matter

The Financial Equation

Let's be clear about the economics: the average sports fan spends upwards of $3,500 annually on tickets, merchandise, and game-day expenses. A gentleman might instead invest that same sum in:

- Private tennis instruction

- A sophisticated home gym

- Equestrian club membership

- Exclusive golf club membership

The Social Element

Physical activity at Amanpulo, Philippines

Photo Credit: Aman

There's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying a pivotal game with friends or taking in the occasional match. The key distinction lies in making sports consumption a cornerstone of your identity versus using athletic pursuit as a vehicle for personal growth and social advancement.

The Path Forward

For the discerning gentleman, the question isn't whether to eliminate sports from his life—it's how to engage with athletics in a manner befitting his station. Consider these principles:

1. Participate more than you spectate

2. Use sports as a networking tool rather than an escape

3. Focus on sports that enhance your social and professional standing

The Gentleman's Sports Calendar

Rather than organizing your schedule around TV broadcasts, consider this more refined approach:

- Monday: Private tennis lesson

- Wednesday: Fitness workout

- Saturday: Golf with industry peers

- Sunday: Boxing/Muay-Thai session

In Conclusion

The modern gentleman understands that true sporting excellence isn't found in face paint and foam fingers but in personal achievement and strategic networking through athletic pursuit. While there's nothing wrong with appreciating professional sports, our focus should remain on active participation, personal development, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships through athletic endeavor.

Let others cheer from the sidelines—the gentleman is too busy focusing on excellence.

About the Contributor

Marcus Sterling is Gentleman Code's Athletic Excellence correspondent, focusing on the intersection of sports, business, and sophisticated living.