In sports there are supporters, detractors, and those neutral who are neither for sports, nor, against.
However, when the home team in a major sport conquers the world, wins a championship, even only for a short time many are drawn to the success. It may mean a parade, a special salute, adulation, gratification. The athletes may become heroes. Everybody has love for a champion. A team that dwells in .500 mediocrity may draw passing yawns, except from the ardent fans. Some fans may reflect the glory of great success of teams near to them, both geographically and to their hearts.
It is easy to identify with champions, success, victory. The majority of residents in communities view the teams geographically close to them in an ephemeral state, that is, here today and gone tomorrow.
Are major league sports art forms? Sociological entities? Entertainment?
Perhaps a little of each and not fully any of the possibilities. They exist because individuals and groups pay for the individuals and teams to perform. Are sports teams community-binding, or, financial entities which compile lore, community pride, or, market forces? Likely a little of each which vary in the roller coaster from one month to the next, one year to the next. Are those teams distractions from the hum-drum of every-day life which offer tradition, a little excitement, a sense of identity for the observing fans who may have played a little of the sports in their youth, or post-youth terms?
In any case, sports in general are a part of the American psyche, and indeed in the psyche of other fans around the globe such as soccer which offers the World Cup every four years.
Think of the excitement when Brazil, or, Mexico, or, England, or France, or, Italy, or Argentina, or, the United States, or, any country which has a championship-contending team in the World Cup. Fans erupt and come out from hiding, or siestas, to cheer on their teams or countries. Interest reaches a peak. New heroes are born, and, unfortunately, a few others may be cast in disgrace. France won the 2018 World Soccer Cup (FIFA), which is football, or, futbol, to the rest of the world. The U.S. football is closer to rugby than world football, or soccer.
The 2022 World Cup will be in Qatar, November 21 to December 18, technically Autumn, however, those attending in Qatar, on the Arabian Peninsula, will not be concerned with snow or bad weather.
Unfortunately, those sports participants in Ukraine likely will not be in a position to have a team ready to play in the World Cup. More pressing matters, now at least, occupy the attention and time of nearly everybody in Ukraine, such as survival, defense of country, and defense of family and friends first.
Russia was the 2018 host for the World Cup and that took center stage nearly four years ago. The positive presentation and plaudits for a job well done in Russia were the aim of the leaders in Russia. That positive public relations has evaporated with Russian attacks against its neighbor, Ukraine, which was minding its business, and evolving into a democracy.