There are a lot of people whose most passionate interest in life is spectator sports. It’s possible that an ad connected to that interest while draw some people’s attention from the idol to the true God.
Sports were a passion in St. Paul’s day, too, and openly connected with pagan worship as well. (In our day, the pagan worship is less overt ;-). Perhaps some readers/hearers of his sports metaphors found them cheap and cutesy, while others said, “Wow, he’s right! I never thought of it like that ... it makes sense!”
Perhaps. I'm never seen such a reaction in 40 years but anything is possible. It's just as, or more, possible that people won't attach a lot of attention to a Gospel that's brought down to the level of importance of a ball game.