The Heart Of A Superfan

The Raptors' story is an underdog story—and the same is true for their greatest superfan. This memoir offers a courtside view into the extraordinary life of Nav Bhatia. You know him as the Raptors Superfan, but Nav Bhatia's story is bigger than basketball. Nav immigrated to Canada from India after experiencing many hardships—only to face a host of new challenges. Life as an immigrant was gruelling and grey . . . and then, a new basketball team came to town. As Nav cheered on the Toronto Raptors at game after game, as they lost, as they won, on the good days and the bad, he discovered inspiration and community in the greatest game on Earth, formed life-long bonds with many of the best players the sport has ever known, and solidified his own place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In this memoir, Nav shares his incredible personal story of triumphing over adversity, as well as the lessons that propelled him to success in all facets of life: as an entrepreneur, movie producer, humanitarian, son, father and husband, and the Raptors' most dedicated supporter. And woven throughout the book are intimate, colourful behind-the-scenes stories about the Raptors—from their very first game in 1995 to their 2019 Championship win, and beyond—that only the Superfan could know. This is a book about loyalty, perseverance and the power of sports to unite us across differences—and, most of all, about how following your passions can lead you to the most extraordinary places.

A TODAY Show Recommended Read, this beautifully intimate memoir-in-pieces uses one woman's life-long love affair with pop culture as a revelatory lens to explore family, identity, belonging, grief, and the power of female rage. Named a most anticipated book of the year by the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star, and a best book of the year so far by Apple Books and Audible.ca. For most of Jen Sookfong Lee's life, pop culture was an escape from family tragedy and a means of fitting in with the larger culture around her. Anne of Green Gables promised her that, despite losing her father at the age of twelve, one day she might still have the loving family of her dreams. Princess Diana was proof that maybe there was more to being a good girl after all. And yet as Jen grew up, she began to recognize the ways in which pop culture was not made for someone like her—the child of Chinese immigrant parents who looked for safety in the invisibility afforded by embracing model minority myths. Ranging from the unattainable perfection of Gwyneth Paltrow and the father-figure familiarity of Bob Ross, to the long shadow cast by The Joy Luck Club and the life lessons she has learned from Rihanna, Jen weaves together key moments in pop culture with stories of her own failings, longings, and struggles as she navigates the minefields that come with carving her own path as an Asian woman, single mother, and writer. And with great wit, bracing honesty, and a deep appreciation for the ways culture shapes us, she draws direct lines between the spectacle of the popular, the intimacy of our personal bonds, and the social foundations of our collective obsessions.

A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist pulls back the curtain on the extraordinary inner lives of America’s most obsessive sports fans. There are fans, and then there are fanatics. In this wondrously immersive look at American sports fandom, George Dohrmann travels the country to find out what distinguishes an ordinary, everyday enthusiast from that special breed of supporter known as the superfan. In Minnesota, Dohrmann meets newly minted generals of the Viking World Order, a Minnesota Vikings affinity group organized along military lines. In Oregon, he shares a few beers with a determined soccer fan who amassed—almost singlehandedly—a four-thousand-strong cheering section for the fledgling Portland Timbers. In Illinois, he talks with the parents of a five-year-old boy whose intense hatred of Tom Brady went viral on YouTube. Through these and other intimate profiles, Dohrmann shows us the human faces behind the colored face paint, the real people inside the elaborate costumes who prowl the stands and parking lots at stadiums from coast to coast. In addition to the fans themselves, Dohrmann also talks with the experts who study them. He uses the latest thinking in sports psychology—some of it learned during a spirited round of miniature golf with a group of professors at the annual Sports Psychology Forum—to unravel the answers to such burning questions as: How does fandom begin? What are its effects on everyday life? When does it go too far? For everyone who’s ever body-painted their torso with the team colors of their alma mater before heading off to a sports bar—or even just screamed at their television during the NBA Finals—Superfans offers an entertaining and insightful exploration of the many ways human beings find meaning in something bigger than themselves. Featuring photos of the Rally Banana, Timber Jim, the officers of the Viking World Order, a pair of Kentucky Wildcats tattoos, a Kevin Durant jersey torched by a jilted fan, and more. Plus analysis of the . . . Arizona State Sun Devils • Chicago Bears • Dallas Cowboys • Green Bay Packers • Indianapolis Colts • Milwaukee Brewers • Nebraska Cornhuskers • New England Patriots • Oklahoma City Thunder • Philadelphia Eagles • San Diego State Aztecs • Seattle Seahawks “Well reported and meticulously researched . . . Dohrmann is a respected, diligent sportswriter and has been so for years—you don’t get Pulitzers for message-board posts.”—The Wall Street Journal

A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist pulls back the curtain on the extraordinary inner lives of America’s most obsessive sports fans. There are fans, and then there are fanatics. In this wondrously immersive look at American sports fandom, George Dohrmann travels the country to find out what distinguishes an ordinary, everyday enthusiast from that special breed of supporter known as the superfan. In Minnesota, Dohrmann meets newly minted generals of the Viking World Order, a Minnesota Vikings affinity group organized along military lines. In Oregon, he shares a few beers with a determined soccer fan who amassed—almost singlehandedly—a four-thousand-strong cheering section for the fledgling Portland Timbers. In Illinois, he talks with the parents of a five-year-old boy whose intense hatred of Tom Brady went viral on YouTube. Through these and other intimate profiles, Dohrmann shows us the human faces behind the colored face paint, the real people inside the elaborate costumes who prowl the stands and parking lots at stadiums from coast to coast. In addition to the fans themselves, Dohrmann also talks with the experts who study them. He uses the latest thinking in sports psychology—some of it learned during a spirited round of miniature golf with a group of professors at the annual Sports Psychology Forum—to unravel the answers to such burning questions as: How does fandom begin? What are its effects on everyday life? When does it go too far? For everyone who’s ever body-painted their torso with the team colors of their alma mater before heading off to a sports bar—or even just screamed at their television during the NBA Finals—Superfans offers an entertaining and insightful exploration of the many ways human beings find meaning in something bigger than themselves. Featuring photos of the Rally Banana, Timber Jim, the officers of the Viking World Order, a pair of Kentucky Wildcats tattoos, a Kevin Durant jersey torched by a jilted fan, and more. Plus analysis of the . . . Arizona State Sun Devils • Chicago Bears • Dallas Cowboys • Green Bay Packers • Indianapolis Colts • Milwaukee Brewers • Nebraska Cornhuskers • New England Patriots • Oklahoma City Thunder • Philadelphia Eagles • San Diego State Aztecs • Seattle Seahawks “Well reported and meticulously researched . . . Dohrmann is a respected, diligent sportswriter and has been so for years—you don’t get Pulitzers for message-board posts.”—The Wall Street Journal

The Raptors' story is an underdog story—and the same is true for their greatest superfan. This memoir offers a courtside view into the extraordinary life of Nav Bhatia. You know him as the Raptors Superfan, but Nav Bhatia's story is bigger than basketball. Nav immigrated to Canada from India, where he had been persecuted for his religion, only to face a host of new challenges. Life as a new immigrant was gruelling and grey . . . and then, a new basketball team came to town. As Nav cheered on the Raptors at game after game, as they lost, as they won, on the good days and the bad, he discovered solace and community in the greatest game on Earth, formed indelible bonds with many of the best players the sport has ever known, and solidified his own place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In this memoir, Nav shares his incredible personal story of triumphing over adversity, and imparts the lessons that propelled him to success in all facets of life: as an entrepreneur, movie producer, humanitarian, son, father and husband, and the Raptors' most famous devotee. And woven throughout the book are intimate, colourful behind-the-scenes stories about the Raptors—from their very first game in 1995 to their 2019 Championship win, and beyond—that only the Superfan could know. This is a book about loyalty, perseverance and the power of sports to unite us across differences—and, most of all, about how following your passions can lead you to the most extraordinary places.

A soccer prodigy. A career-threatening injury. Recovery and redemption. An unexpected romance. Follow Alex's gripping story as he navigates the highs and lows of his athletic career in the cutthroat world of professional soccer, where dreams are made, and legends are born. Just as Alex seems to have the soccer world at his feet, he suffers a career-threatening injury during a crucial match, shattering his dreams. Enter Emma, a dedicated physiotherapist tasked with helping Alex regain his strength and reclaim his future. As their professional relationship deepens, so does their undeniable attraction. But with the stakes higher than ever, can Alex overcome his injury and his growing feelings for Emma? Will Emma risk her own career for love? Does their budding romance stand a chance? Be captivated by their resilience, passion, and love as they deal with the unpredictable twists of fate on and off the field. Get ready for a roller-coaster ride of emotions as Alex navigates life's roadblocks and career detours, capturing the hearts of superfans everywhere. Victory and love await those who dare to dream In the Game of Hearts.

Free is coming. We all know how artists and are at risk from filesharing; now digital manufacturing and 3D printing mean that no industry is immune. But the same technology that enables easy piracy also offers a huge opportunity: artists and businesses can share what they do at low cost, while building relationships with fans. So how can you embrace free, while finding the superfans who will help you thrive? How can you make money in the Free world? Here are ten ideas to reshape your future. Welcome to the Curve. Nicholas Lovell is an author and consultant who helps companies embrace the transformative power of the internet. His blog, GAMESbrief, is read by those seeking to learn how digital is transforming gaming - and how to apply that knowledge to other industries. His clients have included Atari, Firefly, nDreams and Square Enix (creators of Tomb Raider), as well as Channel 4 and IPC Media. He is a columnist for Gamasutra, a contributor to the Wall Street Journal, and his articles have appeared in TechCrunch andWired. He lives in London.

Winner of the 2022 Purple Dragonfly Book Award for children's sports books. "With just the right amount of wit and humour you’d expect from an Ian Slatter novel mixed with a dollop of fancy footwork, Danny Mann Super Fan is a book to get your football-mad children hooked on reading" - The Book Dragon Danny loves Chadmouth Town Football Club more than anything, but a run of defeats and terrible luck has left them bottom of the table and looking certain to be relegated with time running out. But then, Danny and his best friend Nelson stumble across a bizarre pre-match ritual that seems to turn their luck around, and his beloved team starts winning again. Is it too little too late though, and can he keep doing everything right before each match, even when he starts finding more and more obstacles in his way and despite the relentless teasing from his classmates? It’s going to come down to the wire. Does Danny have what it takes to save Chadmouth’s season? Danny Mann Super Fan is the perfect book for young football / soccer fans (including reluctant readers), and for anyone who’s enjoyed the Charlie Fry or Jamie Johnson series and Tom Palmer’s football books. Now re-edited and re-published (01/09/2021). What readers have been saying about Danny Mann Super Fan: ★ If you have a football-crazy child at home then Danny Man Super Fan would be a fantastic read for your little one. Recommended for children aged 9 to 12 years of age. Yeah Lifestyle ★ Does your child love football (in the US, soccer)? If they play or love watching matches, this book is going to be one of their very favorites! Danny Mann Super Fan has all the action, adventure, and drama found in a football match. Your children will want to finish the final chapters of this middle-school book and see what would happen to Danny and the Crabs.Lisa’s Reading ★ A refreshing change from football stories on the field, Danny Mann celebrates life on the terraces and all the dedicated supporters that turn out week in week out to cheer on their team.Primary Teacher Bookshelf ★ Fun and engaging with lots of laughs and team spirit. I think all young football fans would enjoy this story. It's all about the love of the game and younger fans are sure to enjoy it.Four Moon Reviews ★ An engaging story that may well appeal to some who would otherwise be considered reluctant readers, especially if they are football fans. It is a fun story, with plenty of football drama to appeal to middle grade readers.Splashes Into Books ★ I recommend this book to all football fans as well as readers from about age eight and up. I’m not personally a soccer enthusiast, but I had no trouble enjoying this well-written tale.Gina Rae Mitchell ★ A great story.Insatiablereaders ★ I thought that this was a great book. As someone who isn’t a big soccer fan, I still found myself enjoying the book. Kathryn Books ★ Perfect for the chapter book reader/ reluctant reader, and absolutely chock full of football. Lexi Rees / Mum’s Book Blast ★ If you have a reluctant younger reader, which often tends to be boys, who likes football then this might just be the kind of story that creates a new reader. Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog ★ This book is perfect for football-mad kids, and got a big thumbs-up from my little bookworm. The story makes it ideal for reluctant readers as it has plenty to keep 8-11 year olds hooked. I’ll definitely be buying more from this author! bookwormsina ★ It is a perfect read for any football obsessed 8 year (and up!) old and a lovely book to share together. The rituals have us laughing out loud! Jojoreads_50