Basketball, soccer and football are extremely popular sports, with massive fan bases that fill stadiums to the brim. However, equally demanding sports such as water polo, fencing or rowing struggle for even a fraction of the exposure and visibility mainstream sports receive, often going unnoticed. This isn’t because these athletes lack talent, but because popularity doesn’t purely rely on performance. The myriad of factors determining popularity in sports create a divide where mainstream sports thrive off exposure that fuels further growth and attention while lesser-known sports remain overlooked due to a lack of visibility.
Certain sports become popular not only because of what happens out on the field or courts, but also because of what surrounds it. For example, over the last 20 years, the Super Bowl has had an average length of 3.5 hours but social media coverage and highlight videos, which audiences are drawn to, often stretch interest out for days. This media visibility is selective and determined by the resources each sports league holds. Billion- dollar sports leagues secure media deals with large broadcasting organizations, expanding their outreach easily. From simple highlights on sports-streaming platforms to edited videos on social media, these sports dominate feeds, reaching a larger and more diverse audience. The most intriguing types of media also come from the popular sports like basketball and football. Sophomore Sports Fan Club member Jake Wood finds that these flashier videos are more prevalent online.
“I see a lot of sports edits, but a lot of the time, there are big highlights that I see,” he said. “Sometimes it’s funny moments, and other times, it’s the best or most impactful moments of the game.”
Smaller sports without this media backing receive fewer viewers. This causes less media coverage which means fewer viewers. This cycle repeats itself on and on. Audience mindsets also focus on drama and storylines outside the arena, frequently over statistics and outcomes. According to SportsOnSocial’s Global Sports Properties 2025 report, there was a 322% increase in 2024 in online searches for the WNBA. This growing attention has been driven by the highly publicized debut of star Caitlin Clark, whose viral personality and electrifying skills captured national attention and attracted new WNBA fans on a scale never seen before. With the media highlighting specific scenes and personal interviews, viewers and fans become emotionally invested in the individual athletes. The players aren’t just athletes, but rather cultural icons, influencers, celebrities and more. This emotional connection developed in popular sports is much harder to create in niche sports, such as rowing and fencing, since they often receive less attention not only on a team scale, but also on an individual scale. Without this presence, it’s harder for fans to feel emotionally invested in their journeys.
Sports have consistently been a form of entertainment that makes up a country’s cultural identity. For example, in the United States, celebrating football and basketball with tailgating and wearing team colors have deep roots within American culture. Whatever tradition they practice, sports help create connections between those with mutual interests, serving as a way to create community and a shared sense of belonging. Therefore, these sports will be able to gain more popularity through the word of mouth. Junior Hannah Casale has experienced this phenomenon.
“I like watching sports with other people who enjoy the same sport, because it’s like a form of bonding,” she said.
However, smaller sports are limited to a fan base made up of those who play the sport or live in a community where it is popular. According to market research from the International Cricket Council in 2018, 90% of cricket fans are from India. While cricket is popular in South Asian regions, it isn’t as part of the American mainstream. Most fans get into a sport by growing up with it or seeing others involved. Without that connection, engagement is unlikely. This is especially relevant as many people are drawn to sports that they grew up playing, and some sports are much more accessible to young players. Soccer only requires a field and a ball, while other sports like skiing and rowing require specific conditions and complex equipment.
In the end, popularity isn’t just decided on the competitiveness of a sport, but how, well audiences can connect with it. Without these connections, even the most intense sports can go unnoticed. Sophomore Thea Kissiov, who is part of the wrestling and track and field teams, echoed this idea, noting how her sports have not received the same recognition compared to mainstream sports at Gunn.
“In general, the only sports that get attention at school are football and basketball, so I don’t think my sports receive enough attention from the school or through the media,” she said. “I think those sports are more popular because they’re a big part of American culture, so more people grew up watching those sports and playing them.”
