The shirt in question features images of Firefly, Posey, and Applejack — characters from the classic 80s cartoon popular among girls, “My Little Pony.” So why would something like this offend thousands of teenage or 20-something men?

Meet the Bronies — a predominantly adult male fan base that avidly follows “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic,” a 2010 re-launch of the “My Little Pony” series.

The Walmart t-shirt reads “I love Bronies” and features ponies from the 80s version of the cartoon, not the more modern series and its new characters, which are responsible for igniting the Bronies fandom.

“This is the biggest fail in history,” one Brony said of the shirt in a comment thread on Equestria Daily, a website entirely dedicated to Bronies.

To understand this anger, one must first understand what it means to be a Brony. The rapidly-growing subculture baffles those on the outside and is often labeled as creepy. Bronies consistently battle stereotypes that they are gay, perverted or immature virgins who live in their parents’ basements and dedicate their lives to a little girl’s cartoon.

“I think it’s sad people think that,” Adam Atlas, a 22-year-old student at Fullerton College in California, told Metro. “Admittedly, I thought it was weird and stupid when I first heard about it, but I pretty much did a complete 180-degree turn on that.”

That’s a common theme among countless fans who never expected they’d too become Bronies after watching their first episode.

“I thought, ‘Hey this is pretty good. I will watch another episode.’ And then I thought, ‘Hey that’s pretty good, too.’ So then I watched another, and another,” Atlas said.   

What is it about this show that converts young men (and some women) into wildly loyal fans? For Atlas, and most other Bronies, it’s the captivating animation, the appealing characters and the creative story-telling in teaching viewers simple life lessons, like don’t judge a book by its cover.

“It’s quality that you don’t see in a lot of shows these days, like in reality TV crap,” Atlas explained. “What do you get from that?”

Atlas predicts the Bronies will become more accepted as the following, which already numbers in the hundreds of thousands, garners even more fans.

“It’s kind of like what ‘Star Trek’ went through back in the 70s, but now people are perfectly fine with it,” Atlas said. “It’s kind of like growing pains.”

Atlas ranks being a Brony as his third favorite fandom after ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’, but before ‘Harry Potter’ and Disney. He spends at least a half hour each day looking at Brony sites like Ponychan. He likes to browse the thousands of pony artworks created by other Bronies or watch fan-based music videos. Though he said it’s not always easy to find other fans to hang out with because many are “closet Bronies,” he does plan to attend a Brony convention in L.A. in the coming weeks.    

Atlas, a Brony since February, doesn’t fully understand the fuss amongst Bronies over the Walmart shirt.

“It’s a pretty big screw up on [Walmart's] part, but also, it’s just a shirt — get over it,” he said.

While he made light of that particular situation, it was clear that Atlas takes his role in the Brony community extremely seriously in other respects — like the possibility of “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” someday going off the air.

“That would be a loss to society,” he said.

Follow Cassandra Garrison on Twitter at @CassieAtMetro

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For the thousands of fans who did not score tickets to events, London has set up multiple public viewings, where big screen TVs show the events live. Nothing makes a better match than drinking and sports and that’s where the Houses of Nations come in.

These unique pop-up venues dot the city map, each offering a familiar place for fans of many countries, with traditional fare, screenings of events with local athletes — and don’t forget the beer.

“If you haven’t got tickets, you get the atmosphere here, which is better than watching at home on your couch,” Andy Pronger, a Team Great Britain fan told Metro from inside a giant tented bar next to London Tower. White leather couches and strings of lights across the ceiling would give off the impression of an nightclub, if it weren’t for the sports coverage being aired on giant projector screens.

Ping pong tables and arcade games bring fans from all countries together in their own friendly competitions. Some Houses of Nations are hangouts for all international fans, others are geared toward specific nationalities. Fans can find Casa Brazil, Czech House, French Olympic Village, Russia Park and many more across London. There isn’t a specific place for Team USA fans, but many Americans find their way to one of the two “come one, come all” Houses of Nations.

“I really like it here,” American student Rachel Eldridge told Metro as she drank Pimms with other American and British friends. “It’s a cool venue to watch the games, enjoy it and be a part of it, and not have to pay for the £200 tickets.”

At the Africa House, set up in Hyde Park, little boys playing soccer weave between visitors watching the Olympic events on a screen. Other fans stop at the booths where individual countries showcase their culture’s food, music and traditions.

Inside the Deutsches Haus at the Museum of London Docklands, beer flows and fans gobble bratwurst or roasted pork with pickled cabbage. Cheering erupted when the German equestrian team took gold in eventing.

“It’s very exciting because our fans are all together and they enjoy the success of our teams,” Rita Winter said, a German fan who traveled to London for the games. “We won two gold medals and a bronze today.”

Kelton Scott and his wife Heidi came to the House of Nations not for a drink, but to get a photo with an official Olympic torch — one of the many incentives the pop-up bars offer to bring fans in from off the street — but that’s not to say they, and many other fans, haven’t spent plenty of time in London’s rich pub scene.    

“Drinking is a big part of the culture of England, as you know,” Scott reminded Metro. “You can’t pay to get into every venue of every sport, so this is good for the local businesses.”

Check out these super fans enjoying everything London’s Houses of Nations had to offer today:

(All photos by Cassandra Garrison/Metro)

German fans celebrate their team’s win in eventing.

Inside the Deutsches Haus for German fans.

Fans enjoy the food of their countries at Houses of Nations, like this bratwurst.

Olympic enthusiasts of all countries are welcome at the House of Nations near London Tower.

Americans Rachel Eldridge and Nicole Mendez with friends at House of Nations

French fans pose with their Olympic torch.

Fans from the Netherlands take in the atmosphere.

Kelton and Heidi Scott, from England, pose with an official Olympic torch.

The Africa House features booths from many different countries.

Traditional African fare.

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According to a newly released poll conducted by Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, the majority of Americans will be watching at least some of the upcoming games in London.

80 percent of adults plan to tune into the Olympics, including 19 percent who said they will be watching a great deal of the events and competitions and 23 percent who said they will follow a good amount of the games. Only 20 percent of Americans said they have no plans to follow the Olympics.

Older Americans (60 and older) are the most interested in this year’s Olympics, with 84 percent saying they will tune in. 80 percent of people age 45 to 59 will be watching.  While the majority of people under 30, at 74 percent, do plan to watch the Olympics, they are the least interested age group of fans.

Americans are also adopting a competitive edge with 50 percent saying they’re more looking forward to seeing how many medals U.S. athletes can win, while 43 percent are just interested in seeing world records broken, regardless of the country responsible.

“When it comes to nationalism versus records, nationalism still wins,” Dr. Keith Strudler of Marist College said. “But records are more important to many Olympic viewers. That’s why both are stressed during Olympic coverage by U.S. media, and you’ll see select superstar athletes from other countries on top of the normal American fare.”

Olympic fans also weighed in on who they believe American’s biggest competition will be in London. According to 41 percent of Americans, China will be the Team USA’s largest threat this summer. 15 percent said it will likely be Russian athletes.

When it comes to the star athletes who will be capturing attention during the Olympics, 50 percent said swimmer Michael Phelps is still the biggest male standout, 17 percent said basketball player LeBron James and 8 percent said Jamaican track star Usain Bolt. Only 5 percent of Americans said swimmer Ryan Lochte, who has been the center of media buzz when favored to beat Phelps.

When it comes to women athletes, the majority of people — 43 percent — said Serena Williams will be the star this summer. Soccer player Hope Solo snagged 11 percent of the vote and the much-talked-about track athlete Lolo Jones was favored by 9 percent.

Gymnastics proved to be the most popular Olympics sport with 30 percent of viewers saying they will watch it the most. Swimming is the second favorite with 23 percent of people and track & field is third-ranked with 18 percent of the vote.

Finally, when it comes to how viewers will watch the games, TV is still king, with 61 percent of people saying they will only experience the games through television. 31 percent of people said they might watch both television and online, but only 3 percent said they will view the games exclusively online.

The post Poll: Most Americans planning to watch 2012 Olympics appeared first on Metro.us.

“Everyone’s got money on the Giants, all the boys,” said Andy Hawlett, 29, who lives in the Financial District and works as a broker.

His plans are the same, if the Giants win or lose.

“If they lose, stay here, get drunk and have a hangover,” said Hawlett. “And if they win still stay here, get drunk and have a hangover.”

“They’re not going to lose, it’s impossible,” said Ivonne Smith, a 28-year-old healthcare worker from Jersey City. “I supported the Giants when they were in the Super Bowl in 2008. They won then and they are going to win in 2012. I can’t wait for the ticker tape parade.”

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Giants fans packed into Third and Long sports bar last night for a nail-biter of an NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers that went into overtime.

“I have, like 15 more gray hairs,” said fan Neal Saini, a 29-year-old Murray Hill resident of the tense win.

“I’m really anxious. I was expecting it to be a much easier game,” said Giants fan Margo Szczygielski.

Still, other fans relished in the close game.

“It’s so fun. That’s what you hope for at the end of the game,” said Christine Laster of the overtime. “I just think it’s exciting. I’m so glad it (was in) overtime. That’s the way it should be. You want something that’s competitive.”

Big Blue fans are now looking forward to a Super Bowl duel against the New England Patriots, whom they beat in 2008.

“Just making it to the championship game is a whirlwind experience,” Henry Haber, 24, said. “They weren’t expected to be here.”

Those lucky barstools must have worked!

Eric Gonzalez and Henry Haber have met at the same bar, sat in the same spot and even drank the same beer for the past four consecutive Giants game — and they’re guessing that may have propelled the G-men to victory last night.

 “I was here for the last couple games,” said Gonzalez, 25, sitting in the same barstool last night. “They’ve won. I’ve sat in this exact chair.”

 He got to the bar at 2 p.m. to make sure he could get the same seat. “I’ve gotta have real estate,” he said.

 And pal Haber, 24, also sat in the same chair and even ordered the same beer every time — a Bud Light. “Just trying to keep the karma rolling,” he said.

For more photos of Giants fans, click here.

Follow Alison Bowen on Twitter @AlisonatMetro.

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The Kansas City Royals, who haven’t been relevant for two decades, are going to try to set a Guinness World Record for the “Most People Being Massaged” on Sept. 17. If you purchase a ticket in a certain section ($25), you’ll get a Yoga Mat and receive a massage.

Will this event also set a record for the most happy ending requests? I can’t wait until someone claims they received too hard of a massage and brings a frivolous lawsuit.

A team actually in a pennant race is also going the way of the gimmick: the Giants. The defending World Series champs are having “Star Wars Day” on Sept. 4 at AT&T park. The ticket package includes a seat in the “Star Wars” section, access to a pregame costume party and a “limited edition Star Wars/Giants” trinket.

If 1,000 people show up and 300 are women, how many will be dressed as Princess Leia? You know the outfit I’m talking about (hint: think Jabba the Hutt). I expect no less than 227 dressed as Boba Fett, and the lazy fans will show up as Han Solo or Luke Skywalker. There will be at least one ejection because a fight breaks out over which was better: “Star Wars” or “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Ron Artest’s heart will go on … and on

Two years ago, Ron Artest went to a Britney Spears concert, and jokes were made; recently, he went to a Celine Dion concert, and then scurried backstage to take photos with her. It’s still early, but the guess here is in 2013 he attends a Bonnie Raitt concert and in 2015 he’ll be spotted at a Sarah McLaughlin performance.

Serena the reality bomb

I find it mildly stunning that non-entity no-talents like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian have (or had) wildly popular reality shows, yet Serena Williams — one of the greatest tennis players ever — is failing to have someone pick up her show. Perhaps it was the content? Williams has been pitching a reality series based on “caring for and decorating nails.” Apparently, she’s big into nail care. Williams is one of the five best female tennis players ever, and for the first time since 2006, she is about to go the entire year without winning a major. Perhaps she should revert her attention from nails to tennis.

– Jason Raj McIntyre covers athletes off the field and runs the popular blog, The Big Lead.

Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages.

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1: Sleek and smooth

No blades means Dyson’s minimalist pedestal fan doesn’t trap dust while it generates a super-smooth, even breeze.

$450, www.dyson.com

2: Go retro

We love this cheeky little retro model in preppy pink, but it’s available in 10 other colors, as well. (Yes, we see you, lime green.) And at just over a foot tall, it’s small enough tote around.

$69, www.thecompanystore.com

3: Classic cool
Restoration Hardware’s no-nonsense Allaire desk fan would look right at home in an office with a wet bar.

$49-$74, www.restorationhardware.com

4: Bronze beauty
A little bronze can go a long way: Target’s Hunter table fan is surprisingly sophisticated and blends right into a room like an appliance pro.

$50, www.target.com

5: Keep it quiet
With soft rubber blades and a top-of-the-line motor, Black + Blum’s desktop Propello fan is all but silent, leaving you to the more peaceful sounds of summer. Consider that your cue, evening crickets.

$140, www.black-blum.com

Follow Monica Weymouth on Twitter @MonicaatMetro.

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