What does "fodder" mean in the context of the article?

What is Fodder for a Sports Wonk NYT, According to the article, "fodder" means the material that helps to support or satisfy a particular interest. Here, the main input is the statistics and data used by sports experts or “wonks,” to study and talk about sports. Often, fodder is the name given to the raw materials used to keep or maintain something going. The article argues that fans of sports need statistics and data to connect with their favorite sports activities.