By: Chi_Rox_

Before we begin, it’s important for me to note I am a recovering Chicago sports diehard.

It’s 2023, we no longer have to give the majority of our time and money to organizations that don’t love us back to feel like a fan.

The four major sports leagues have been around since our great great great great grandparents were in diapers. Plenty of us grew up in homes where sports were a foundation of the family. I would argue the 90s is where the push began to integrate sports into everyday life beyond game-day. Chicago is no stranger to this, given the Bulls historic run during that decade.

This concept soared in the 2000’s, accredited to the events of 2001 when folks looked to sports as a way to get away for a bit while not having to leave their couch. Sports became more than just the focus of a Sunday in winter or a fun family outing in the summer-being a fan was suddenly part of our identity.

We are now in the third decade of the millennium and sports engagement is as high as ever. Between players social media accounts and a game being played nearly every day of the week, sports are so integrated into society that it’s almost shocking to speak to someone who doesn’t like them.

As much as this upswing in games and access to players may speak for the case of propelling a fandom to its highest levels, I think it actually supports a step back to a more relaxed approach. We now have access to any team in every league in the palm of our hands, and athletes are now seen as folks beyond their profession more than ever before.

Making sports more commonplace means they don’t need to be put on a pedestal-it is a part of everyday life-like watching the news or talking about the weather. Anyone can chime into a conversation about the game last night because it’s all so accessible.

The covid pandemic was a big proponent of just how valuable our time and finances are. It’s no longer cool to boast about your thousands of dollar ticket plan or how many games a year you can get to. We all fan as best we can, and that’s what makes sports great. There isn’t a reason to make your fandom a dick measuring contest anymore, and that’s a great feeling.

In the end, fan how you want-you’re gonna get made fun of on twitter regardless. Thanks for reading.