Helping Fans Grow in 2026

This time last year, I pulled out an old notebook and started writing down some goals I had for this project in 2025.

At that point, I was producing a podcast every two weeks that varied significantly in subjects. One week could have been talking with fans of the Super Bowl champions to see what this title meant to them, while the next could have been focused on the five year anniversary of COVID and how that affected everyone’s mental health from a sporting POV. Interviews and outreach to fans, professors, and industry experts were done at night, while I edited those separate clips into a full episode all weekend.

When you’re in the thick of managing multiple productions while trying to create social content for said show, it can be next to impossible to come up for air and see what isn’t working anymore. “Maybe I should just go to once a month on episodes?” I thought. “It could allowed me to dive deeper into subjects while allowing me some free time finally.”

Instead, it did the opposite.

Eventually, it was time for me to finally to re-evaluate how this project could evolve to ensure the quality of my life and in turn, the quality of my work.

Making the shift from podcasting to writing has helped me not only meet that goal, but excel beyond it. Minimizing the production time to just an article or two a week has allowed me to think even deeper about what this project can be and how it can help build deeper communities through sports fandom.

Here are just some of the goals I have for this project in 2026 and how you can help!

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More Fandoms To Learn From:

It can be easy to fall under the idea that there are only a few things that deserve our attention. Yet, if you open your eyes and ears, you’ll find all new experiences, perspectives and ideas that you would have never considered beforehand.

I’ve always used sports fandom as the entry point for people to think about fandom as a means to build and give back to our communities. There are entire fandoms that I truly don’t understand (yet!). Rugby, cricket, motorsports, and tennis, just to keep it to sports, are an entirely different language to me. That’s not to mention fandoms in the larger world, outside of sports!

In this new year, I want to collaborate with those fans to understand their culture, their communities, and what we can learn together. There are some pieces that I have in mind that I’m looking forward to sharing with you, and I’m always open to any ideas you would like me to research!

More Experts To Learn From:

Whenever possible, I’ve always tried to include industry professionals, experts, and professors in my podcast episodes. During those production cycles, it would be challenging at times to book some of the people who I’ve wanted to sit down with.

Now that I’ve transitioned to writing full time, it’s going to allow me to finally sit down with some of the people who I’ve always wanted to learn from.

I’ve already been fortunate enough to talk with some incredible people in this space and I cannot wait to introduce more of them to you!

More Long Form Series To Make:

Making “Flags of Our Fans” for the supporters groups of US, Mexico, and Canada has been one of the highlights of this past year. Diving into specific communities, understanding their specific traditions, and how they are handling issues in their own unique way hits exactly at the heart of what this project is all about.

There are other series I have in mind for this year that I can’t wait to share with you, and am always open to any ideas that you may have!

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Thank you for all of the support you’ve given this project in the last year. Coming onto a new platform and building from the ground up is always challenging. However, the support that I’ve received in the last couple months have made this shift worth it.

I’m looking forward to sharing, learning, and building deeper communities through fandom with you all!