There's the "maga ruined sports" thread but I think its closer to us terminally online folks ruined it. That Sark thread is disgusting. Really bad. I quit paying close attention for quite a few years for various reasons but still check in occasionally due to neighbors talking. Every once in a while I take a look at the football board. A whole lot of ugliness on that board in general. Many seem they've never really been having fun. And the amount of seriousness people take in analyzing every little thing is cringe. The 'pussy' talk or what not. Ugh. Then there is the misery on just about every game thread. Gross. And the total 'clever' repeated surly-isms (ha ha, 'ass water'?). Cringe.
That train of thought put out there, I see it on other sports discussion sites too. Not unique to Surly. We all distract ourselves in some fashion. I think there may be healthier distractions than online sports boards and most pro sports fandom in general.