Heart of a Fan

What happens when the only professional sports team left in Connecticut — the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun — faces threats of relocation?

In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore why women’s basketball…

In the debut episode of Flags of Our Fans, we travel to Los Angeles to hear from sports fans, supporters’ groups, and community leaders standing on the frontlines of resistance. From tenant rights or…

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans faced more than physical destruction—it faced the loss of identity, tradition, and community. But in parks, rec centers, stadiums, and stands, the comeba…

What is a fan embassy—and how can it help fans feel safer, more welcome, and more connected during the 2026 World Cup?

In this special prelude to Flags of Our Fans, we sit down with Thomas Concannon o…

What does it mean to be proud in a stadium where you’re not always welcome?

In this special Pride Month episode, we sit down with LGBTQ+ fans who are reclaiming space in the stands—even as the world o…

What do sports fandom and religion have in common?

In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we explore how faith shows up in sports—from game-day prayers to lifelong belief in a team that keeps letting you …

In this special episode of Heart of a Fan, host Matthew Barry sits down with Rebecca Davis—co-director of the Netflix documentary Join or Die—to explore the power of community, the decline of civic l…

Men are lonelier than ever — and often afraid to talk about it. Could fan communities be part of the cure?

In 2023, the NYT asked: Is the cure for male loneliness out on the pickleball court?
It spark…

What does it really mean to make sports fandom accessible? In this episode, we sit down with three powerful voices—disability advocate and hockey fan Chanel Keenan, KultureCity Executive Director Uma…

Want to grow a women’s sports team the right way? This episode gives you the blueprint.

With expansion on the horizon for leagues like the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL, the real challenge isn’t just where the…

Five years removed from empty arenas, we ask: what did we lose — and what did we learn?

The pandemic changed everything, including how we experience sports. In this special episode, Heart of a Fan ref…

In this episode of Heart of a Fan, we dive deep into the emotional and social impact of the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl victory. This wasn't just a win on the field—it was a victory for a city, a…

What does it mean to build a Black-centered fan space — and what happens when you do?

 In this episode, Heart of a Fan features leaders from Black Diamonds and Comets SC to talk about what it means to…

These fans don’t just wear the jersey — they’re enshrined for their dedication.

 Meet the Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association (PFUFA), a group of NFL superfans who have been recognized for their pas…

To kick off the new season of #HeartOfAFan, join Matthew Barry as he shares some notes with you on the project's first year and what we have planned for this upcoming year!

If you have a story about h…

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The beauty of college football isn’t just the playoff — it’s the chaos, the cultu…

Across the pond, football means something different — but no less passionate.

In this episode, Heart of a Fan explores the NFL’s growing fanbase in the UK through the lens of the London Games. From li…

A fanbase in mourning. A team forever changed.

 When Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau tragically passed away, the entire hockey community was shaken — but none more than the fans who had gro…

The WNBA’s rise isn’t just about one team — but the 2024 Liberty brought it to life.

 The WNBA has been building something special — and in 2024, the New York Liberty brought that momentum to a full r…