Apr 21, 2023 - Things to Do

Meet the Philly Sports Guy: Jamie Pagliei

Jamie Pagliei, aka the Philly Sports Guy

The Philly Sports Guy. Photo: Courtesy of Jamie Pagliei

In our local pantheon of superfandom, the Philly Sports Guy makes others seem milquetoast.

  • But did you know it's his full-time job?
  • Yes, Jamie Pagliei shuttered a masonry and chimney sweeping business to pursue the very niche market of professional superfan influencing.

How it happened: He split with his ex. "I had to figure out what made me happy and I did something I don’t ever do – I made a list. Once you got past all the kids stuff, everything else was sports events."

  • He was discovered by a production company and did a commercial. "While I was there, they’re like, 'Your energy is amazing. You are, like, the Philly Sports Guy.'"

Games he attends per year: 200. That's the Union, Phillies, Flyers, Eagles, all of 'em.

How he fights Philly’s bad-fan rap: "I don’t curse."

Ever get tired? "When people say, 'Hey, I’d love to have your job,' I’m like, 'Heavy is the crown.'"

His dating prospects: "I make the joke all the time that the Philly Sports Guy never gets laid. …

  • 😉 "As much as people love taking pictures with me, they ain’t dating the makeup."

His mom worked at the Spectrum so he grew up knowing late Flyers founder Ed Snider: "As a little kid I’m running around … and he’d be like, 'Jamie, stop running.' 'Yes, Mr. Snider.'

  • "You have no choice but to be a sports fan."

On being buried as the Philly Sports Guy: "No (laughing)."

  • "I do see a lot of stuff being put in the casket. You don’t paint my face to bury me."
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