God Save the Fan: How Steroid Hypocrites, Soul-Sucking Suits, and a Worldwide Leader Not Named Bush Have Taken the Fun Out of Sports

by Will Leitch

Book Overview

Arch and unrepentant, Will Leitch, founding editor of Deadspin.com, is the mouthpiece for all the frustrated fans who just want their games back from big money, bloated egos, and blathering sportscasters. Always a fan first and a sportswriter second, Leitch considers the perfection of fantasy leagues and the meaninglessness of the steroids debate as he exposes Olympic fetishes, parses Shaq's rap attack on Kobe, shares a brew with John Rocker and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061351792
• ISBN13: 9780061351792
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: It Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Funny and accurate take on today's spoiled sports world

Will Leitch's book is a nice blend of laugh-out-loud satire, spoofs, and funny truth in the ridiculous, over-priced, ego-maniacal world of sports. The editor of the popular "Deadspin" blog is more than just funny, he's insightful. I really don't read "Deadspin" very often, but the cover and title of this book -- not the blog -- was what drew me to it. I'm a huge sports fan, but I'm so tired of the overflow of cash and ego that if pro sports ended tomorrow, I wouldn't care. Sadly, Division I college sports now just mirrors professional sports, they're just less honest about the money. I'd wished Leitch would've addressed the greed of college sports, but what the heck, he lives in New York City, the worst college sports city in America. He's a pro guy ... though his take on interviewing a former University of Michigan basketball player was a complete riot. Fans can be pretty dumb, too, as Leitch points out in his take on Barbaro. The article and hilarious drawing of the horse was very funny. Some of Leitch's takes don't work -- does Scott Van Pelt's rejection of a date really need to be posted, is that news? Leitch found Van Pelt's phone message "humanizing." I found it boring. But Leitch is more often on target than not. And yeah, Chris Berman's "YWML" episode isn't news either, but if anyone needed to be a victim of "gotcha" journalism, it's Berman, who has become a caricature of himself. Yes, ESPN needed to be taken down a few notches and Leitch is just the guy to do it. A quick and funny read, I hope Leitch has another book on the way. Will there be a fan revolution? Nah, fans are too emotional and gullible. If the NY Giants said tomorrow that end zone seats were $5,000 apiece, they'd get sold. Will ESPN's egos shrink? Are you kidding me? Leitch is a little too much of a believer in the fan revolution and not a realist. I see no uprising from fans. But hey, at least Leitch is trying, and having fun while doing it.

Honest and Entertaining Read- Great for any Sports Fan

I have been a dedicated Deadspin (leitch's blog) for years now- but you don't have to be to enjoy this book. Filled with sarcasm, easy to read short essay commentaries- leitch's brutal honesty makes you laugh out loud at the rediculousness of our world of sports today. No one is safe, not even the medaia working behind the cameras!! Great quick read for any sports fan.

Hilarious look at sports from a fan's perspective

Will Leitch looks at almost every aspect of sports, from steroids to drunk quarterbacks, from a fan's perspective. And truthfully, fans take the game a lot less seriously than players or reporters. So when we see something like Roethlisberger pouring tequila down a girl's throat we don't get upset--instead we laugh. Leitch uses examples like these to show what's wrong with the world of professional sports reporting, and what we can do to reclaim our sports.

THIS BOOK IS A BAG OF CHEEZY DOODLES

I CANNOT BELIEVE SOMEONE PAID WILL LEITCH MONEY TO WRITE A BOOK. I WAS VERY SKEPTICAL. OBVIOUSLY HE JUST PASTED A BUNCH OF OLD DEADSPIN COLUMNS TOGETHER. HOWEVA, AFTER CURLING UP WITH A BAG OF CHEEZY DOODLES, THIS BOOK WAS OUTSTANDING. I AM NEVER WRONG ABOUT ANYTHING. YOURS STEPHEN A. SMITH

Big Boss Will - Affirmed

In Rainbows God Save the Fan. The Lovely Fan. In our homes to love and care for this book. A Very Beautiful Present for All Wellwishers. Angel Will's Special Shoe: Ruby Slippers. Affirmed.