If you ever saw the elementary school me playing third base, the adult me catching on my work softball teams, or attempting to swing a golf club without whiffing, you might wonder how I ended up leading a sports research team. There are two answers: the engagement value of sports and, of course, fandom. Let me explain.

I have always loved television. The Partridge Family and The Brady Bunch were early favorites, followed by Happy Days, M*A*S*H, Seinfeld, Friends, and many, many others. The height of cable and now streaming just meant more shows to watch and add to my must-see list. Content is no doubt still king, even after all this time. These programs have certainly entertained me, but more importantly, they’ve engaged me on so many levels. Through talent, characters, and plots, they’ve made me a fan and offered ways to expand my communities and connect with brands. They also laid the foundation for my career in media research.

But what surprised me was an engagement outside the scripted world of comedy, drama, and even reality shows that grew over the years—my interest in sports. Shows like Wide World of Sports, Battle of the Network Stars, and later, the Olympics, were all fun to watch and foundational for me. I loved the competitions, the various sports and personalities featured in each episode, and learning the ins and outs of sports I knew I’d never be able to play. I was hooked. Soon, those sports programs and live sporting events for my local teams were vying for my leisure time. That continues to this day. (Heck, my first date with my husband was my first Phillies game, and you can still find us there, enjoying the game, engaging with our friends, and supporting the Phillies’ brand. Thanks, Steve Carlton!)