The Good Sport Report ft. Cinderella

Mar 13

Written By Charles Ruiz

GAME #4: a few reasons why we love a good story

3.12.24

⏳ THE LINE-UP

What’s on the lineup card (agenda)?

Today, we write about the art of storytelling while using the worlds of Disney and March Madness to inspire. We share structures, characteristics and pay homage to a few of the best storytellers we know.

Dear Cinderella,

No, not you princess. I’m writing this to honor you, the Cinderella Story.

I love that every March, there’s an opportunity to tune in and root for an unknown team that defies the odds while attacking one common goal. It usually brings us one hell of a story. Isn't that why people like #sports? I personally think people like rooting for a good story - sports or not.

But what makes a good story?

Emotional Connection
Compelling Characters (or events)
Controversial Moments
Captivating Performances
Clear points and structure (especially in the corporate world)

You can also scroll to The Close at the bottom to hear from some guy that created a pretty good Story about Toys .

In reality, most story structures are not rocket science. Usually there’s a beginning, middle and end right? Then why do we make it so complicated?

Here are two I tend to use when starting out 3 Act & Hero's Journey.

If you don’t know the importance of why you, Cinderella, are so unique - here’s a great list of what you’ve done for us in the past (specifically in March).

But again, that’s not why I’m here. I write to you to tell you that I love that you’re an underdog, an afterthought or simply enthralling to watch. It’s like you know we are in need of an emotional connection and you just March right into people’s hearts.

Do you know what’s madness? I don’t watch college basketball until March - and sometimes I don’t even watch it in March, unless you, Cinderella are there.

This letter is not about sports (entirely). It’s about what you bring to the common fan (without being a Grammy artist) and how you remind me about the importance of a good story.

Storytelling is why I’m here.

It’s why the actual Cinderella, Harry Potter and the Guardians of the Galaxy exist. It’s why film and television are so prevalent. It’s why bookshelves and stories get passed down from generation to generation and get retold, repurposed or reinvented over and over again.

But why do we love stories?

Is it because we all have one? Our families have stories. We have personal narratives. Marshall Ganz’ work declares we should all have 3 stories as part of our public narrative. The story of self, us & now (we’ll save this for a future newsletter).

Here’s the thing. Some stories are entertaining and some aren’t…but they are all OURS right? Isn't that what makes them special? We get to make the connection. Individually or collectively and we don’t care about the numbers. I was listening to this conversation and loved this quote from Simon Sinek talking about the importance of story.

“People can relay those stories much easier than they can relay or remember the statistics.”

You can hear more from the conversation HERE.

Back to you Cinderella. I love that we get to root for you. We get to learn about a player, coach or maybe even a fan. Sure, it seems odd that entire cities gather, dye their hair and cry when you don’t win, but again…it’s because we love a good story. How many events can unite and bring people together in such a short amount of time?

We get to follow your story that comes out of nowhere. One that’s original. One that can’t be repeated. There’s emotion. Ups. Downs. Likely, a plot twist - oh yeah, that’s also what makes a good story.

Whether it's the 2008 Davidson Wildcats, or the 1985 Villanova Wildcats. It might even be the Disney worthy…

Did someone say Disney?

Yes, that Disney, but I’m talking about the “Miracle on Ice” honoring the biggest Cinderella story of all time. The USA hockey team that became a Disney hit. In both real and fake life, we were enamored and invested in the story.

It happens every March. You bring us…

On an emotional ride.
Unite us together unexpectedly.
Might even make us think or act differently.
And you keep us guessing.

Again, I apologize that I’m not a fan all year, but boy do I enjoy the small chance we get to flip on the tournament in March to see if you decided to come to the ball. I mean, decided to come ball.