The way it works, of course, is not that people are promoted in non-sports companies directly based on sports knowledge, but that people who are more popular and who have bonded with their co-workers are more likely to be promoted to leadership positions. In some environments, being able to talk about sports (and playing sports such as golf or being on the company softball team) helps accomplish that.
I guess I should count myself lucky that I've always been in companies that promote people based on their technical and managerial competencies instead of shared interests. I don't need my manager or subordinates to understand and discuss my interests to develop a great professional relationship with them. If we bond over sports, fine but surely that can't be the only way especially for someone with great interpersonal skills and leadership capabilities.
