Brandon Perna may be the lone Broncos fan who appreciates the Russell Wilson era in Denver football.
Not because of the team’s performance — the Broncos had a losing record during Wilson’s time as quarterback — or because Wilson’s departure led to a playoff appearance in 2024 and a successful 9-2 season this year.
No, Wilson’s tenure in orange and blue brought misery to Perna. And surprisingly, that misery was beneficial for his YouTube channel.
Perna, aged 41, transformed his fandom into a thriving YouTube channel that combines humor and insightful analysis of sports.
“I don’t care if they’re … sneaking a peek at power rankings during work breaks — like, yes,” Perna mentioned in a recent interview in his Aurora home studio. “Or tuning in before bedtime. Whatever it is, it excites me to create the next video. And hopefully, I didn’t offend anyone by calling their team terrible the week before.”
Profane, comedic, and unapologetically pro-Broncos — “Go (expletive) yourselves, Kansas City” is a common phrase — Perna has been hosting the “That’s Good Sports” show on YouTube for over a decade. His engaging content has garnered hundreds of thousands of regular viewers and recently surpassed 820,000 subscribers for his frequent videos.
His unique mix of “bad football news in the form of even worse comedy” has expanded into merchandise, custom coffee blends for frustrated fans, and a global online community. His weekly “curse wheel,” predicting misfortunes for teams, had an impressive 9-2 record of successful curses by mid-November.
Navigating through changing YouTube algorithms, unpredictable sports outcomes, and a competitive online landscape, Perna has turned his channel into a successful venture.
What began as a solo project has now grown to include co-writer Will Keys, editors Johnny Barker and Connor Sherrill, who contribute to keeping the content sharp and consistent. Perna acknowledges fellow sports YouTubers like Tom Grossi and traditional sportscasters like Vic Lombardi for their support.
Having a solid team in place before Wilson’s era allowed the channel to capitalize on the increased viewership. However, reaching that point required years of dedication and treating the growing channel as a full-time job, even without immediate financial rewards.
‘Setting Bigger Goals’
Perna initially worked as a video editor in the YouTube industry in the late 2000s and began his channel informally in the early 2010s. He transitioned from corporate YouTube production to freelance work.
A pivotal video, capturing Peyton Manning’s historic seven-touchdown game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, demonstrated the audience’s interest in his irreverent analysis.
Over time, Perna dedicated more effort to his channel and relied on his wife, Jess Filipas, as the primary breadwinner. Despite challenges, he remained true to his authentic voice and content.
The consistent posting schedule started paying off in the late 2010s, allowing Filipas to reduce her work commitments. Their family welcomed a daughter in 2020, and the channel thrived during the pandemic, attracting sponsorships and deeper audience engagement.
“Things have become more complex, but he has set bigger and bigger goals,” Filipas stated. “He acknowledges there’s more to his success than just himself creating videos in the basement.”
Keys, a Broncos fan based in Sacramento, joined Perna in 2018 as a co-writer. Their collaboration enhances the channel’s humor and analysis, supported by editors Barker and Sherrill.
They aim to provide comprehensive coverage without bias or negativity towards teams or players, focusing on engaging storytelling and valuable insights.
In addition to regular news and game coverage, Perna’s team produces in-depth pieces exploring the NFL’s history and current trends.
“People return because they learn something new,” Keys explained. “We put effort into crafting a strong script, adding unique information that sets us apart.”
Perna dedicates 75 hours per week to writing and producing videos in the basement, but he also cherishes moments with his daughter, balancing work and family life.
“Curse Wheels and Sports Enthusiasm”
Perna admits he initially struggled to find success but eventually expanded his coverage to the entire NFL, attracting a broader audience with his unique voice and content.
However, it was the tumultuous era of Wilson in Denver that truly propelled the channel’s growth in 2022 and 2023. Viewership soared as fans tuned in to witness Perna’s weekly heartbreak.
A memorable game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, where the Broncos suffered a disappointing loss, became a turning point for Perna. Unable to attend many games in person, that particular game stood out as a rare experience.
Perna channeled his frustrations into an episode titled “The Worst Game Ever,” which became a recurring theme in his content.
Looking back, Perna humorously admits that his audience enjoyed watching him suffer. But his content resonated with sports fans who understand the highs and lows of supporting a team.
“If (Denver is) winning, you’re just going to have Broncos fans (watching) — and they’re excited with you,” Perna shared. “When they’re losing, literally any fan of any team could come in and be like, ‘Look at this idiot suffering because his team let him down.’”
These diverse viewers, including fans from rival teams, form the core audience of the channel. Perna ensures a balance of real analysis and humor, keeping them engaged.
Unique aspects like the curse wheel add an interactive element to the content, enhancing the viewer experience. The unpredictability of the wheel’s outcomes keeps fans coming back for more.
“Russell Wilson and the curse wheel,” Perna jokingly credits as catalysts for his success. “Those are the two things.”
Now that Perna has honed his content creation approach and embraced long workdays to meet football and posting schedules, he remains focused on his supportive community.
“The overwhelming support from fans is humbling, and I never take it for granted,” Perna said. “They keep me relevant in this space.”
His enthusiastic and irreverent style resonates with fans, especially during a successful season of must-watch Denver football.
The Broncos’ recent wins have been thrilling and captivated audiences both within and outside of Broncos Country. Perna is excited about the team’s success and aims for further growth as a content creator.
“I’m eager for the Broncos to achieve post-season success. I feel like I’ve finally found my groove, and it’s time for the team to shine,” Perna expressed.
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