Are Sports Just a Distraction?

The words "Bread and Circuses" somehow popped into my head when I read this article. Not sure where it's from or who uttered the words, but they seem to fit. Anything, anything to distract people from the truth is fostered around the world. Of course, as usual, it's a double edged sword. Yin/Yang in full force. To be sure there are some positive benefits to the whole sports thing. But overall, one wonders if it isn't doing more harm than good.