About Rooting Interest

Sports are stories. That’s the whole idea.

I’m a sports nut—have been my entire life—but when I turn on ESPN or scroll through most sports coverage, I don’t recognize the part of the games I first fell in love with. Sports media these days is full of gambling, power rankings, and advanced stats. And while those have their place, they miss the heart of what makes the whole thing tick.

I care about the meaning behind the moment—when someone’s comeback matters more than the win, or a walk-off homer becomes a tribute to a loved one, or a regular-season game becomes unforgettable for reasons that have nothing to do with the standings.

That’s what Rooting Interest is about.

It’s a twice-a-week newsletter that celebrates the emotional center of sports—the comebacks, the collapses, the weird little stories that stick. It’s not about stats. It’s not about betting. It’s not even really about winning. It’s about caring—why we care, and what that says about us.

Every Tuesday, I send a short column about something remarkable that happened in sports—something you might’ve missed, but won’t forget. It’s not focused on any one sport but rather something from the wide world of sports. One week the column might be about the NFL; the next, we’ll talk about billiards. As long as they keep score, we’ll figure out why we care.

Every Friday, you’ll get a weekend viewing guide: a quick, digestible lineup of the best storylines to watch unfold.

Written by Joe Levin

I’m Joe Levin—and I’ve spent my entire career telling stories from inside the world of sports.

I’ve been a sportswriter for over a decade. I’ve covered Super Bowls, profiled the biggest stars in college football, played poker with Doyle Brunson. I helped produce the Emmy Award-nominated docuseries In the Arena, ESPN’s eight-part series on Serena Williams, and spent hours dissecting her career with her. I’m the co-author of the book Religion of Sports and spent four years writing the newsletter for the company of the same name. You can check out more of my work at byjoelevin.com.

Rooting Interest is a way for me to keep asking questions—and to celebrate the small, strange, or emotional moments that make sports unforgettable.

Because sometimes the best games aren’t the biggest.

They’re just the ones that make you feel something.

Join thousands of curious sports fans who care about the stories behind the games. It’s free, and it lands in your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.

Got a story tip or a moment that made you care?
Just reply to any issue—I’d love to hear it.

Thanks for being here.

—Joe