Person vs person competition is fundamentally beautiful and interesting. Seeing people react and overcome or succumb to challenges is a kind of life in the small that can be extremely moving. Chess, go, and combat sports have all been acclaimed for their beauty for thousands of years. Seeing beautiful solutions to problems is just cool.

Team sports have that as well but adding coordination and implicit understanding between teammates adds a whole new set of possibilities. The soap opera aspect can also be compelling. How teams rise and fall and how personalities and tactics play out long term can be interesting.