FanSided Fandoms of the Year: Who we were rooting for in August

FanSided’s Fandoms of the Year will be here in December to reflect back on what moved, excited and entertained us this year. But here’s a peek at what captured our attention in August.

FanSided Fandoms of the Year is an authentic celebration of fan culture, bringing together the FanSided community of readers and writers to celebrate the teams, players, competitions, movies, experiences, actors, music, television shows, games and more that made us want to stand up and cheer in 2021.

Fandom is all about community, people sharing passion, joy, grief and triumph. In a world wracked by sickness, fear and uncertainty the things that connect us as humans have never been more important. This project is a way to celebrate and examine the things that bring us together, to recognize the transformative power of positivity and maybe even help people find something new to fall in love with.

The project (formerly the FanSided250) is a curated list of things that moved, inspired, thrilled and entertained us this year, featuring 100 fandoms described, in-depth, by people who love them. This year, for the first time, the list will be unranked, putting all 100 fandoms on equal footing, highlighting how they are all worthy of celebration. However, we’ll also be highlighting 10 fandoms with superlative recognition in categories like “Most karmically-owed fandom” and “Most inspiring fandom of the year.” And, as in years past, we will be choosing one fandom as the FanSided Fandom of the Year.

In the past, the list has all been rolled out together in December but this year we wanted to extend the fun. As a lead-in to the final list, we’re going to start releasing a monthly check-in highlighting five fandoms that were relevant or that we connected with that month. Here’s what we were rooting for in August.

What Fandoms of the Year were we rooting for in August?

For the first time in 13 years, Britney Spears spoke out against the conservatorship that has cast demeaning constraints and limitations on her personal and professional lives. The undisputed princess of pop bravely shared her story and thanked her legion of fans worldwide for their continued support in 2021 and beyond. Even though the Grammy-winning pop icon hasn’t released an album since 2016’s incredible offering Glory, Britney is still a force to be reckoned with and always will be.

— Reed Gaudens, Netflix Life

The Yankees have one of the best fanbases in the MLB, and being part of a fanbase who’s had to watch their split-squad roster the whole season while still staying passionate is awesome. The fans refuse to give up on this team, despite COVID and injuries forcing them to play with half a roster of Triple-A players. The Yankees rewarded us with a 21-7 August that has them at the top of the AL Wild Card picture. It’s made this season so much more exciting.

By any reckoning, a TV series based on TV commercials shouldn’t have worked, but this Jason Sudeikis comedy was exactly the comfort watching that a pandemic-weary and politics-jaded world needed. A corny good-old-boy American college football coach accepts the head coach job for an embattled English Premier League soccer team. With little knowledge of the game or of British culture, but with an abundance of optimism, humor, and heart, Ted Lasso propelled the show to become the top comedy in 50 countries for Apple TV+. The second season raised the stakes with heightened conflict, richer character development, and deeper social issues, but Lasso’s goofy charm and his camaraderie with his “Diamond Dogs” are the magic that holds it all together.

— Ed Tankersley, FanSided Senior Project Manager

Since its release in early 2019, Apex Legends has captivated casual and competitive gamers alike. In 2021 it eclipsed new heights, with the community passing the 100 million player mark, the release of several new playable legends, and the rollout of new, innovative, and here-to-stay game modes beyond the classic Battle Royale that made the game so popular. Perhaps most impressive is the lore of Apex and the storytelling ingrained in the personality of the characters. As much importance is placed on the story behind a legend’s in-game abilities as is in the functionality and mechanics of their gameplay. Apex is as little or as much as the player wants to make of it. One option as a playable character, Pathfinder, can simply be a useful, zip-lining character with pragmatic grappling abilities, or he can be a deeply emotional robot with a family to find. As is always true with Apex, the choice is yours.

— Josh Wilson, NBA Division Director

Giannis Antetokounmpo helped clinch the first title for the Milwaukee Bucks in 50 years at the end of July, but the way he’s spent the last month has only cemented his status as one of the most likable athletes in the world. He’s celebrated by taking every opportunity he can to share the achievement with the entire city of Milwaukee, including buying a minority stake in the Milwaukee Brewers and showing up in the ring for an AEW Rampage event. He’s one of the best basketball players in the world, living his best life. How can you not root for that?

— Ian Levy, FanSided Creative Editorial Director