One thought I had - my sister is a runner, she runs marathons. It is super expensive. Ok the sport itself may not be..all you really need are a good pair of running shoes- but to compete or participate officially costs both time and money. And marathons are held all over the world..and it costs thousands to get there, find accomodation, entry fee etc.
Karlon mentioned skiing..it's not a cheap sport. Skifields and equipment cost a bomb. The super rich always go to places like Aspen and Klosters.
Golf courses require millions to maintain - all that grass needs to be mown. There is a lot of money in sports.
America's cup (yachting) is a rich man's game. Those boats don't pay for themselves, they require serious money, sponsorship deals etc. Polo, you need to own all those horses.
I have a cousin who is like a sports analytics for the New York Jets. I didn't have any idea that was a full-time job - calculate all the stats for the game, run the numbers, get sponsorship deals etc. To go the games, costs in terms of tickets, and they need bums on seats. Why would you go if you can't afford it. What would the point be of watching if you have no skin in the game.
To pass the time maybe, to marvel at athletes? Seriously I have other things to think about, and better pass times, then to sit and watch them all day. Half an hour of the newshour on tv is always taken up with sports - who won the championships, and then they have press junkets talking to the breathless winners. I could never even watch a whole half hour of it.
I don't know it's just not fun. Maybe I'm just a loser, who's unco at sports and don't feel any connection with it. If you are female and into sports, that's also a bit of a danger because, when you are young coaches can and do take advantage. I have heard horror stories of gymnastics and cycling for women and it's actually tainted sport for me. Drugs in sports too. Rugby - is always associated with violence and alcohol in my country. When nz loses the whole country goes into mourning. People can and do live and die for the sport. With massive head injuries. So there is a dark side to sport it's not all fun and games.
Oh to be innocent and play 'just for fun' Not anymore. It's become a cash cow. Doctors who specialise in injuries can make a mint from sports..
Back to my sister. I think what keeps her going is the 'runners high' that she gets from it. Endorphins. It's good to keep fit I suppose. But it can be taken too far. She really sacrifices time and money and relationships for it, and somehow expects me to understand how gravely important it all is.