Do You Watch a Rival Team Just to See Them Fail? There’s a Term for That

There's a term you may not be familiar with, but if you are a sports fan, you have probably done it. It is called "hate watch" and it is when you tune into a game just to watch a rival team lose. Jazz fans saw this personified recently.

Rivalries that Spark Controversy

If you are a long time Utah Jazz fan, you may not be a big supporter of the Los Angeles Lakers. There are multiple reasons for this dislike. Early on it was the LA team that was standing in the way of the Jazz moving on in the playoffs.

There is also the amazing trades that have given the Lakers star players for almost nothing over the years, the latest involving Luka Doncic. Every time they need a star player, somebody is willing to send one.

Add in every kid who moved to Utah from California wearing a Lakers Jersey and telling you your state and team suck. It didn't help that their team was often doing more of the winning.

The Thrill of Watching a Rival Fall

This built up a healthy animosity for the team from LA who had many championships. Old timers will remember the pain of seeing Karl Malone finish his career in yellow and purple.

It also may explain why Utah fans might have tuned into watch the Los Angeles Lakers get swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in what could be Lebron's last game. Sometimes it is satisfying watching a rival fall even if it feels slightly wrong.

What may have been more disturbing was watching Dillon Brooks personify the term "hate watch" at the Laker game. Brooks currently plays for the Phoenix Suns and has had many on court run-ins with Lebron James.

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He reportedly spent $40,000 to sit courtside and watch his rival crash and burn in his last game. He sat there sipping an expensive drink and smiling as the Lakers went down in 4. For some Utah Jazz fans, it was like looking in a mirror.