CBS Sports Columnist Snyder Urges Fans to Abandon Obsession With Rival Teams
An opinion piece argues that supporters must cease fixating on historically decorated opponents to preserve their own happiness and avoid letting rival teams dominate their psyche.
CBS Sports has published a new opinion column titled "Snyder's Soapbox," in which the author argues that sports fans should stop obsessing over rival teams to maintain their own happiness. The piece, written by Snyder, frames this behaviour as "Little Brother Syndrome," describing it as a psychological phenomenon where supporters of a successful team remain fixated on a historically more decorated rival.
To illustrate this point, Snyder cites an incident from October 28, 2018, where Red Sox fans chanted "Yankees suck!" at Dodger Stadium following the Red Sox's championship victory. He notes that despite the Red Sox completing one of the greatest seasons in MLB history, finishing 11-3 in the playoffs, the fans allowed the Yankees to live rent-free in their heads. Snyder describes this reaction as appalling, suggesting that fans should not let another team affect their psyche in such a manner.
The columnist extends this observation beyond baseball, referencing the Milwaukee Brewers flying an incorrect "L" flag after defeating the Cubs in the NLDS. Snyder points out that the Brewers were subsequently swept in the next round, yet the flag incident suggested they viewed the NLDS win as the peak of their season. He also mentions hearing "Green Bay sucks" chants at Wrigley Field, despite the Bears winning the NFC North and a playoff game the previous year.
Snyder draws on his personal experience as an Indiana University football fan to support his argument. He recounts witnessing his team win a national title while fans simultaneously talked trash about Purdue on social media. He expresses frustration that even after a historic victory, the focus remained on a rival rather than the achievement itself, noting that he felt the last thing on his mind should have been Purdue.
The article highlights how social media amplifies this behaviour, with naysayers appearing in comments sections or on Instagram to diminish positive moments for fans. Snyder observes that this dynamic permeates every corner of sports fandom, from walkoff wins to defensive plays, where critics often appear to explain why a happy fan is actually a loser. He cites a specific instance where a Cardinals account made a snide remark about a player during a win against a non-rival team, characterising this as "Little Brother Syndrome" behaviour.
Ultimately, Snyder advises fans to ignore hated rivals entirely, suggesting that sports are merely a vehicle for entertainment and that happiness should be the primary goal. He argues that the constant obsessing over a hated rival is an exhausting way to go through life and that the key to a fruitful existence is comfort and joy. The column concludes with a plea for fans to drop their obsession with rivals that are not even in the series and instead celebrate their own team's successes.
