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Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love
New York Times bestselling authors Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski travel the world in a hilarious and heartwarming celebration of fans and the things they baseball, basketball, chess, darts, football, futbol, Indigenous North American stickball, pickleball, WWE, Taylor Swift, Star Wars, and more.
Two great friends. Lots of frequent flyer miles. And a bottomless appetite for experiencing sports. That’s what BIG FAN is all about.
Bestselling authors and podcast hosts Joe Posnanski and Mike Schur love games—almost any game!—and they bring readers to the front row (and sometimes even right onto the field). Whether ringside at WrestleMania in Las Vegas, singing along with the maniacs at the World Darts Championships in London, or just watching eight straight hours of football at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Dallas, they bring us to the very heart of what it means to love something so much it hurts.
Through crushing defeats and glorious wins, whether cheering penalty kicks with 65,000 fans in Liverpool or beholding a chess master castling in dead silence, BIG FAN is about why we love what we love and how fandom connects us in a time when so much else pulls us apart.
Two great friends. Lots of frequent flyer miles. And a bottomless appetite for experiencing sports. That’s what BIG FAN is all about.
Bestselling authors and podcast hosts Joe Posnanski and Mike Schur love games—almost any game!—and they bring readers to the front row (and sometimes even right onto the field). Whether ringside at WrestleMania in Las Vegas, singing along with the maniacs at the World Darts Championships in London, or just watching eight straight hours of football at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Dallas, they bring us to the very heart of what it means to love something so much it hurts.
Through crushing defeats and glorious wins, whether cheering penalty kicks with 65,000 fans in Liverpool or beholding a chess master castling in dead silence, BIG FAN is about why we love what we love and how fandom connects us in a time when so much else pulls us apart.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Michael Schur
8 books422 followersMichael Herbert Schur is an American television producer, writer, and character actor. He was a producer and writer for the comedy series The Office, and co-created Parks and Recreation with Office producer Greg Daniels. He created The Good Place, co-created the comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine and was a producer on the series Master of None. He also played Mose Schrute in The Office. In 2021, he co-created the comedy series Rutherford Falls.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 23, 2026
This is exactly as described - a fun bunch of essays about liking and enjoying things (mostly sports). Perfect dad book!
May 26, 2026
One of my favorite subgenres of nonfiction is People Nerding Out About Something So Much That It Makes Me Nerd Out About It Too. Hanif Abdurraqib is great at this, as are Shea Serrano and (in a completely different way but also somehow in this same made-up subgenre) Patrick Radden Keefe. I love a deep dive into niche topics. Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski are - and I say this with so much love and respect - giant nerds who have accomplished that same feat of making me care about things I previously just didn't think much about. This book helped me appreciate and understand fandoms better, even if they're for things that I personally don't have a ton of interest in. I will probably never go to a dart competition, but reading about their experiences at one made me get why people love it and made me want to know more. There's something really fascinating about reading about the human experience through this lens.
This book is obviously filled with lots of great sports-related anecdotes and thoughts, but it also touches on other types of fandom, including card collecting and TV show fandoms. It explores a lot about why we become fans of certain things, how those experiences shape us, and the larger role that fandom can serve in our society. Mike Schur has been largely responsible for a lot of the TV shows I grew to love during my 20s and 30s, so he personally has definitely shaped some of my own fandoms, but hearing his insight into fan experiences was really cool. I wasn't as familiar with Joe Posnanski's work, but he's funny and witty and so, so knowledgeable. Both of them have excellent, conversational writing styles that make the book really accessible without being surface-level or fluffy.
If you have ever loved a sports team, book series, TV show, super-niche hobby, or have been a fan of literally anything, this book is a really enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This book is obviously filled with lots of great sports-related anecdotes and thoughts, but it also touches on other types of fandom, including card collecting and TV show fandoms. It explores a lot about why we become fans of certain things, how those experiences shape us, and the larger role that fandom can serve in our society. Mike Schur has been largely responsible for a lot of the TV shows I grew to love during my 20s and 30s, so he personally has definitely shaped some of my own fandoms, but hearing his insight into fan experiences was really cool. I wasn't as familiar with Joe Posnanski's work, but he's funny and witty and so, so knowledgeable. Both of them have excellent, conversational writing styles that make the book really accessible without being surface-level or fluffy.
If you have ever loved a sports team, book series, TV show, super-niche hobby, or have been a fan of literally anything, this book is a really enjoyable read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I had the chance to read an early copy of Big Fan by Michael Schur and Joe Posnanski, and it was exactly what I hoped it would be—fun, light, and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.
What really stood out to me wasn’t just the subject matter, but the tone. You can feel the friendship between Schur and Posnanski on every page. There’s an easy, natural chemistry in the way they tell stories, riff on each other, and lean into the joy (and occasional absurdity) of being a lifelong sports fan. It never feels forced—it feels like you’re along for the ride with two friends who genuinely love what they’re talking about.
The book taps into something deeply relatable for anyone who grew up obsessing over sports: the nostalgia of baseball cards, the random deep dives into new sports (their attempts to learn hockey had me laughing), and the strong opinions we all develop along the way (including a very understandable skepticism toward pickleball). I found myself nodding along more often than not.
What makes Big Fan work so well is that it doesn’t try to be overly serious or profound. It embraces what it is—an entertaining, easy read that reminds you why being a fan is so much fun in the first place. It’s the kind of book you pick up to unwind and end up flying through because it’s just that enjoyable.
Highly recommend this to anyone looking for something light, nostalgic, and full of personality—especially if sports have ever been a meaningful part of your life.
What really stood out to me wasn’t just the subject matter, but the tone. You can feel the friendship between Schur and Posnanski on every page. There’s an easy, natural chemistry in the way they tell stories, riff on each other, and lean into the joy (and occasional absurdity) of being a lifelong sports fan. It never feels forced—it feels like you’re along for the ride with two friends who genuinely love what they’re talking about.
The book taps into something deeply relatable for anyone who grew up obsessing over sports: the nostalgia of baseball cards, the random deep dives into new sports (their attempts to learn hockey had me laughing), and the strong opinions we all develop along the way (including a very understandable skepticism toward pickleball). I found myself nodding along more often than not.
What makes Big Fan work so well is that it doesn’t try to be overly serious or profound. It embraces what it is—an entertaining, easy read that reminds you why being a fan is so much fun in the first place. It’s the kind of book you pick up to unwind and end up flying through because it’s just that enjoyable.
Highly recommend this to anyone looking for something light, nostalgic, and full of personality—especially if sports have ever been a meaningful part of your life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So -- I once sweated my way through several spring school days in the South because there was no way I was not going to wear my Boston Celtics Starter jacket on days they had a playoff game. And yes, it had to be the jacket and not some other piece of Celtics attire because the jacket was The prized piece of my collection and therefore a lucky charm. I really shouldn't have to tell you this. If I'm watching a big game, it's getting late, and my team is down or has a precarious lead, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. I'm going to turn the volume down to zero.
If all of that sounds perfectly normal to you, go buy this book. You will have the best time reading it. (If you think I'm weird after reading that, I honestly still think you'll enjoy this book.)
Posnanski and Schur have given sports fans a great book celebrating fandom. They traveled over 80,000 miles, watched a variety of mainstream and not-so-mainstream sports, and talked to all sorts of fans to get to the heart of what it means to be a fan. Not just the superstitions and loyalty, but the whys, the connections, and more. How do we become fans and why does it mean so much? There are lots of funny moments, too, of course. What makes it all work so well is that Posnanski and Schur are Big Fans themselves who have their own stories and own thoughts to add to the discussion.
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and I'm leaving my review voluntarily
If all of that sounds perfectly normal to you, go buy this book. You will have the best time reading it. (If you think I'm weird after reading that, I honestly still think you'll enjoy this book.)
Posnanski and Schur have given sports fans a great book celebrating fandom. They traveled over 80,000 miles, watched a variety of mainstream and not-so-mainstream sports, and talked to all sorts of fans to get to the heart of what it means to be a fan. Not just the superstitions and loyalty, but the whys, the connections, and more. How do we become fans and why does it mean so much? There are lots of funny moments, too, of course. What makes it all work so well is that Posnanski and Schur are Big Fans themselves who have their own stories and own thoughts to add to the discussion.
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and I'm leaving my review voluntarily
May 23, 2026
An excellent blend of humour, sports writing, travelogue, and history. Mike Schur has had a hand in hundreds of hours of TV I’ve enjoyed, and Joe Posnanski reminds me of all the good sports profiles I’ve enjoyed over the years. You’re brought into their friendship, including all the silly arguments they get into, the inside jokes, and the teams and players they love. The theme, fandom, is broad without feeling woolly. (I’m reminded of another book I read on ‘gossip’ which came be as broad as simply ‘stories’.) I particularly enjoyed the chapters when they’re travelling together, as you’re brought into their banter, like you’re their silent third friend.
One testament to the quality here is when Schur goes to Wrestlemania in Las Vegas, and as a casual wrestling fan (now) I was able to appreciate how much he got correct. Maybe I’ve read a lot of writing about wrestling from outsiders who get the details all wrong.
You’ll likely find a chapter in here about a sport you like, plus many more about sports and fandoms that you have never even considered.
One testament to the quality here is when Schur goes to Wrestlemania in Las Vegas, and as a casual wrestling fan (now) I was able to appreciate how much he got correct. Maybe I’ve read a lot of writing about wrestling from outsiders who get the details all wrong.
You’ll likely find a chapter in here about a sport you like, plus many more about sports and fandoms that you have never even considered.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Had a great time with this one. The two authors' voices blend together seamlessly, with Posnanski's tenderness deepening Schur's humor, and vice versa. I've not listened to their podcast, but their rapport and fondness for one another shines through easily throughout.
While there's plenty to enjoy for the sports fan (Victor Wembanyama, the Phillies), there's also a ton of "sports" (Pickleball, Wrestlemania), and even more non-sports (Steely Dan, Television) being discussed and overwhelmingly adored here. More than anything else, this is a love letter to fandom and recognizes the immense joy that comes from having something to irrationally care about.
Guess you could say I'm a big fan.
While there's plenty to enjoy for the sports fan (Victor Wembanyama, the Phillies), there's also a ton of "sports" (Pickleball, Wrestlemania), and even more non-sports (Steely Dan, Television) being discussed and overwhelmingly adored here. More than anything else, this is a love letter to fandom and recognizes the immense joy that comes from having something to irrationally care about.
Guess you could say I'm a big fan.
May 19, 2026
Received as a giveaway on Goodreads….This book was like hanging out with good friends and hearing some amazing stories. Joe & Mike share what it means to be a “fan” of something and try to answer the question: “Why are we fans?” They explore fandom of sports, music, TV and a number of other topics with wit and humor. My favorite sections are where each author forces the other to explore the fandom of something they are utterly unfamiliar with (Pickleball for Joe, Grateful Dead and WWE for Mike). I couldn’t put this one down, highly recommend!
May 19, 2026
Incredibly snarky millennial dad humor that thinks it is funnier than it is.
Immediately falls into the trap of every “clever” humor book that rests its entire thesis in the idea that including copious amounts of overwritten footnotes is the funniest thing ever.
A book is not a stand up routine, no matter how badly the authors want it to be.
Like having Bugs Bunny read a Chuck Klosterman book at you and pausing to say “Ain’t a stinker?” After every “punch line.”
Immediately falls into the trap of every “clever” humor book that rests its entire thesis in the idea that including copious amounts of overwritten footnotes is the funniest thing ever.
A book is not a stand up routine, no matter how badly the authors want it to be.
Like having Bugs Bunny read a Chuck Klosterman book at you and pausing to say “Ain’t a stinker?” After every “punch line.”
Review of advance copy
This is a book that I needed to sit with for a minute after I finished reading it. This is a delightful story about friendship; sports, music, fandom and why we love the things we love. Schur and Posnanski include the right amount of details to make you feel like you are there, whether it’s a Midwest pickleball tournament or the Sphere.
Read
March 24, 2026Absolutely loved this fun bucket list book by two semi-famous guys traveling to different sporting events to see how fans cheer on their teams. My favorite chapters were when each of the authors picked a sports event for each other that would drive them crazy, and it was funny. Gotta read this…if just for the “chess match” fan cheering, er, whatever they do. lol.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Closer to 3.5. Received as an ARC. Mike and Joe cover a variety of fandoms in short chapters. The big sport of basketball, football and baseball are covered but I found the more interesting chapters to be the odd sports - darts, chess, pickleball, etc. Its really a vacation read but it was entertaining and fun to read.
May 25, 2026
I don't know if I've ever read a 400 page book this fast. I pre-ordered the moment I heard about it last September and the wait was worth it. Big Fan is just a celebration of fun and fandom and I laughed out loud multiple times and it made me appreciate all of the things I've been a fan of over the years.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Review of advanced copy:
A fun read exploring different worlds of fandom. The authors infuse their great senses of humor on the journey. Enjoyed the chapters on more obscure sports and what they mean to different people.
A fun read exploring different worlds of fandom. The authors infuse their great senses of humor on the journey. Enjoyed the chapters on more obscure sports and what they mean to different people.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The biggest fan of this book (and the poscast!) If you're a poscast listener this is a can't miss read!
Thoroughly and utterly delighted to enjoy an ARC of this book!
Thoroughly and utterly delighted to enjoy an ARC of this book!
March 27, 2026
Review of advanced copy:
Very entertaining and good read about friendship and fandom. The back and forth between the authors made it more like listening in to their conversation than simply reading. I enjoyed reading this one.
Very entertaining and good read about friendship and fandom. The back and forth between the authors made it more like listening in to their conversation than simply reading. I enjoyed reading this one.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews