I'm sure that's partly why they're embraced so enthusiastically by globo-fiat statists, but I'd argue that spectator sports emerged naturally from a cooperative/competitive streak in human nature. When engaged in organically and out of genuine spontaneity, it's a wonderful example of unifying the bonds and diffusing the tensions between potentially hostile communities, especially on a more local level, where they maybe compete for resources. Just another noble, freemarket phenomenon, co-opted for nefarious purposes by the State.