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The Athletic keeps growing .......

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Fran Curci, Feb 3, 2018.

Page 33 of 176
  1. Fran Curci

    Fran Curci Well-Known Member

    Fair point, but the overhead at The Athletic or other pure websites can't be compared to that of a newspaper. There are no presses, no gigantic rolls of newsprint, no trucks, etc. Most newspapers would have a chance if they had enough digital-only subscribers. If only .....
     
    Fran Curci, May 15, 2018
    #385
  2. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    In the WSJ story after their $20 million seed round, Mather was quoted saying they are going to test event sponsorships and podcasts. They were also considering syndication deals with local TV stations, but didn't have anything like that in place like that yet. Aside from just stepping in to be the online version of what the local paper's sports section used to be (and I think people should take them at face value, that this is what they are trying to do), that is probably what they are considering as ancillary add-ons.

    Two other things. ... if you look at the VC firms that have forked over cash, these aren't people with impressive track records of starting successful companies -- although I believe Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavs, Quicken) has invested with one of the lead VC firms. A lot of pimple-faced Ivy League types who walked out into a world of cheap credit making it easy to borrow and misallocate capital. Again, that doesn't mean that THIS is a bad idea. But this is still an early stage business that needs to prove its concept.

    I suspect that if they could build something -- not even necessarily profitable -- big enough to make some established media players think they are a threat, they would love to just sell what they started, let it be someone else's problem, and walk away with a profit. But I am not inside Mather or Hansmann's heads.
     
    The Big Ragu, May 15, 2018
    #386
  3. cjericho

    cjericho Well-Known Member

    So then SI.com should've done that, but didn't?
     
    cjericho, May 15, 2018
    #387
  4. cjericho

    cjericho Well-Known Member

    Why? I usually go to yahoo for scores and the recap, but what difference does it make that many young people go to Bleacher Report? Do you think it means
    ESPN's demographic has aged?
     
    cjericho, May 15, 2018
    #388
  5. Guy_Incognito

    Guy_Incognito Well-Known Member

    I think Reilly was a great buy-low hire. Without a weekly deadline and with a strong editor who is able to turn back the article now that he came with his tail between his legs I bet it goes well. If it doesn't, it will be short-lived.
     
    Guy_Incognito, May 15, 2018
    #389
  6. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    I don't think Reilly needed the job. He has enough money. AS a result I don't think he wills tay if he is heavily edited.

    But Reilly is a brand name who I suspect is working really cheap. It is well worth it to print his columns, no matter how stale, especially since electrons are free.
     
    LanceyHoward, May 15, 2018
    #390
  7. CD Boogie

    CD Boogie Well-Known Member

    How many people here are buying a subscription? I guess I'm in the minority who is so used to getting online sports content for free that I won't pay for it. I'll pay for the New Yorker digital, but I will not pay for local coverage of my team. I simply don't need to know that much about things re: my favorite teams. Now if ALL the outlets were smart and monetized the content this way, I obviously would. But to me, I feel like a sucker paying for "insider" shit like they have with ESPN Insider.
     
    CD Boogie, May 15, 2018
    #391
  8. typefitter

    typefitter Well-Known Member

    I think I'm like you. I like sports, but I'm not a big enough fan of any particular team to feel compelled to know everything about them. I'm not really a fan of any North American team, much. The Athletic's target must be fans who are hardcore. Lord knows there are a lot of them. I ain't one.
     
    typefitter, May 15, 2018
    #392
  9. CD Boogie

    CD Boogie Well-Known Member

    What is ya, some kinda commie?
     
    CD Boogie, May 15, 2018
    #393
  10. typefitter

    typefitter Well-Known Member

    Well, yes, but I also care about English football.
     
    typefitter, May 15, 2018
    #394
  11. CD Boogie

    CD Boogie Well-Known Member

    I’ve been watching the EPL the last few weekends. Until someone builds me a flow chart that properly delineates how all the leagues intermingle, I will simply enjoy the beautiful game one match at a time.
     
    CD Boogie, May 15, 2018
    #395
  12. HappyCurmudgeon

    HappyCurmudgeon Well-Known Member

    As a Mets and Jets fan I have plenty of free outlets to tell me how shitty my teams are :)

    I looked into their college football stuff but frankly I like reading people like Staples, Forde and Feldman better along with ESPN's coverage.
     
    HappyCurmudgeon, May 15, 2018
    #396
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