How to talk about sports when you don't follow sports
You do not need to know sports to talk about sports. Learn one thing that happened, know why people care about it, and ask the fan in front of you one good question. People who like sports usually enjoy explaining them, and asking follow-up questions makes a better impression than reciting facts.
You are not the odd one out
Gallup has asked Americans whether they consider themselves sports fans since 2000. In its June 2015 poll, 59 percent said yes, one point under the average of its trend since 2000. That leaves about four in ten adults who are not fans. The goal is not to pass as a fan. The goal is to be easy to talk to.
The three-part formula
- One thing that happened. A result, a trade, a streak, a big upset. Pick the story that is already everywhere, not an obscure one.
- One reason people care. The rivalry, the long losing streak, the star who might leave, the playoff race. The reason is what makes it conversation instead of trivia.
- One question. "Did you see it?" "Do you think they can keep it up?" "Is that a big deal or just a good week?"
That is about thirty seconds of preparation. Three examples of how it sounds:
- At work: "I saw [team] won again. Is this the year, or do you not trust them yet?"
- At dinner with someone's family: "I keep hearing about [player]. Why is everybody so into him?"
- On a first date: "Do you root for anyone? I know nothing, so I'd love the short version of why people love [team]."
Why questions beat facts
Researchers at Harvard studied online chats and speed dates and found that people who asked more questions were better liked by their partners, with follow-up questions doing the most work. The authors of the study, reported by the Association for Psychological Science, also caution that too many questions can backfire, as can rude or off-topic ones. A fan who gets to explain what they love will usually do most of the talking, which is the easiest position for a non-fan.
Good follow-ups are short: "What happened after that?", "Why does that matter?", "Who should I watch for?"
Ten-second basics for the two biggest conversations
You can follow most chatter about football and baseball with a few facts from the league sites.
| Sport | What to know | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | Games are 60 minutes, split into four 15-minute quarters. The offense gets four downs to move the ball 10 yards. Make it, and they earn four more downs. Phrases like "they went for it on fourth down" are about that choice. | NFL Football Operations glossary |
| MLB | A regulation game is nine innings, or 27 outs per team. If the game is tied after that, it goes to extra innings. | MLB glossary: Regulation Game |
That is enough to understand "they went for it on fourth down" or "it's going to extras." You do not need the rest to ask a decent question.
What to skip
- Do not bluff on stats. One wrong number ends the credibility you just built. "I don't follow it closely" is a fine sentence.
- Do not give hot takes. Fans have heard them, and opinions on a rival team can start fights.
- Do not ask about a team that just lost a big game. Ask how they feel about the season, not about the game itself.
- Do not try to cover a whole sport. One story is plenty for five minutes of talk.
Match the room
At the office, keep it light and general: last night's biggest result, the local team, a famous athlete in the news. At a family gathering, ask about the person's favorite team and the reason they picked it. On a date, curiosity works better than competence. In every setting, the person who asks is doing the listening, and listening is the skill most people remember.
How Sports Cheat Sheet helps
Sports Cheat Sheet: Daily News is an independent iPhone app, not affiliated with any league, that does the preparation step for you. Each day it gives you a short briefing on the stories people are talking about, with talking points written to say out loud, a line on why people care and a question to ask a fan. Every point links to its source. It is not a scores or news app. The Cocktail Party briefing is free.
Frequently asked questions
How do I talk to sports fans if I know nothing about sports?
Learn one story that is already everywhere, know why people care about it and ask the fan one question about it. Fans enjoy explaining what they love, and asking follow-up questions makes a better impression than reciting facts.
What should I say when someone asks who I root for?
Be honest and curious. Something like "I don't follow closely, but I'd love to hear why you like them" works, and it hands the conversation back to the fan.
How many Americans are sports fans?
In Gallup's June 2015 poll, 59 percent of Americans described themselves as sports fans, close to the 60 percent average since 2000. About four in ten said they were not.
What are the basic rules of football for a beginner?
An NFL game is 60 minutes in four 15-minute quarters. The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards. If it succeeds, it earns four more downs, and if not, the other team takes over.
Is it okay to admit I don't follow sports?
Yes. Saying you do not follow closely is better than guessing and being wrong, and it invites the other person to explain. About four in ten adults are not sports fans.