I wonder if this is more antidotal than factual. I know a lot of STEM professionals who enjoy participating and watching sports. I know a lot who don't, too... just saying, I wouldn't be too quick to assume it's a fact, or causal. (I'm a bit biased... I was reading up on long short-term networks last night while watching the Lions take apart the Packers).
I think this is where I fall. I know a lot of tech people who are also sports fans, and I know a lot of non-tech people who really couldn't care less about sports. I think the "STEM professionals are pasty nerds who know nothing of sports!" stereotype is played up both by some people outside STEM professions who still seem to think Revenge of The Nerds was a documentary and by some people inside STEM professions who will tell you they're above such base tribal loyalties and then lecture you on why using Sublime instead of Vim makes you a neanderthal.
I wonder if this is more antidotal than factual. I know a lot of STEM professionals who enjoy participating and watching sports. I know a lot who don't, too... just saying, I wouldn't be too quick to assume it's a fact, or causal. (I'm a bit biased... I was reading up on long short-term networks last night while watching the Lions take apart the Packers).