Feldman, AudreyRogers, Todd2026-08-122026-09Feldman, Audrey, and Todd Rogers. "The Depolarizing Promise of Shared Sports Fandom." HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP26-007, September 2026.https://p2p8-sa-zuvru-a9vusux.re-cotta.com/handle/1/42748852Seventy-six percent of Americans identify as sports fans, and sixty-three percent consider themselves passionate fans. We find that this shared identity powerfully reduces partisan animosity. Using a nationally representative survey and nine pre-registered experiments, we show that shared sports fandom is at least as effective at reducing partisan animosity as shared race, religion, socio-economic status, or region where they are from. This depolarizing effect tempers hostile partisan behavior and is moderated by the centrality of sports fandom to one's identity. Sports fandom is a vital and scalable tool for strengthening democratic society.Working Paper