I can (and do) go either way on this. I buy a big can of Gatorade powder at the start of the season and take a quart bottle with me to games. I mix it about 50% strength because any stronger and it leaves my mouth feeling all sticky. I don't obsess over hydration and drink as I begin to feel thirsty. So some days I'll bring half the bottle home with me, and some days I'll finish it and refill it with water from a drinking fountain.
Some days, for whatever reason, I'll forget to pack my sports drink. I'll just have water from the drinking fountain or the home team's water cooler. And I usually do just fine that way too.
So if there's some significant benefit to sports drinks, I haven't noticed it. Perhaps one must be capable of actual performance?
PS. The studies I've seen on post-workout recovery drinks have suggested chocolate milk. And being a big fan of the stuff anyway, I highly recommend it
