I think that in this culture spectator sports are a branch of the arts, or at least of the entertainment business. Sort of like drama with a framework script, within which the participants execute more or less effectively. It becomes a personal preference. Some of us prefer symphonies to swimming races, some of us prefer football to opera. And some of us like both, to varying degrees.

To say that sports are all good, and music is all bad, or vice versa, is pretty shortsighted. Both can be good, bad or mediocre, on their own terms.