Ben Valenta
@benvalenta.bsky.social
FOX Sports Strategy & Analytics
Author of Fans Have More Friends
Author of Fans Have More Friends
We often talk about "third places" i.e. a social setting where people can gather outside of work/home
We should also be talking about "third things" i.e. common points of engagement that reduce social pressure and deepen connections
Sports are the ultimate third thing
We should also be talking about "third things" i.e. common points of engagement that reduce social pressure and deepen connections
Sports are the ultimate third thing
February 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
We often talk about "third places" i.e. a social setting where people can gather outside of work/home
We should also be talking about "third things" i.e. common points of engagement that reduce social pressure and deepen connections
Sports are the ultimate third thing
We should also be talking about "third things" i.e. common points of engagement that reduce social pressure and deepen connections
Sports are the ultimate third thing
I'm biased, but I think it's always worth revisiting this article when looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday...
nypost.com/2022/11/22/p...
nypost.com/2022/11/22/p...
Put football on your Thanksgiving menu: Sports are a social superconductor bringing all kinds of people together
Sports enable fans to make meaningful connections not only across entrenched team loyalties but across social categories such as race, class, religion, gender, generation and, yes, even politics.
nypost.com
November 25, 2024 at 8:26 PM
I'm biased, but I think it's always worth revisiting this article when looking ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday...
nypost.com/2022/11/22/p...
nypost.com/2022/11/22/p...
engaged sports fans suffer less from afflictions like depression and loneliness because fandom facilitates friendships.
passing fandom along to our kids imparts a social skill that has lasting benefits on their mental health.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5t...
passing fandom along to our kids imparts a social skill that has lasting benefits on their mental health.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5t...
Fandom as a Cure to Loneliness Epidemic? with Ben Valenta of FOX Sports | Play Equity Summit 2024
YouTube video by LA84Foundation
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2024 at 12:41 AM
engaged sports fans suffer less from afflictions like depression and loneliness because fandom facilitates friendships.
passing fandom along to our kids imparts a social skill that has lasting benefits on their mental health.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5t...
passing fandom along to our kids imparts a social skill that has lasting benefits on their mental health.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5t...
fans have more friends because sports provide an infrastructure for interaction.
sports give you a reason to hang out. and hanging out with friends is good. it's the primary reason why fans tend to be happier than non-fans.
sports give you a reason to hang out. and hanging out with friends is good. it's the primary reason why fans tend to be happier than non-fans.
November 25, 2024 at 12:38 AM
fans have more friends because sports provide an infrastructure for interaction.
sports give you a reason to hang out. and hanging out with friends is good. it's the primary reason why fans tend to be happier than non-fans.
sports give you a reason to hang out. and hanging out with friends is good. it's the primary reason why fans tend to be happier than non-fans.
Fans have more friends!
Sports fandom facilitates human interaction. Fandom is a social good.
Sports fandom facilitates human interaction. Fandom is a social good.
November 25, 2024 at 12:37 AM
Fans have more friends!
Sports fandom facilitates human interaction. Fandom is a social good.
Sports fandom facilitates human interaction. Fandom is a social good.