RIP ESPN The Magazine

Dan-
There was no action plan for digital. This needed to be studied, and studied, and studied.
The internet didn't just fall out of the sky like the asteroid that triggered the dinosaurs' extinction.
There is an entire generation of people (now starting their own families) that have no memory of a world where you didn't get online content for free.

 

I'm not arguing that digital changed things - only that print readership was already in decline. Younger generations weren't reading.

 

$8 for two freaking years. The cost of a freaking foot long sandwich. Smh

 

I'm just the opposite. To me, paper feels . . . authoritative.

Online seems . . . just more crap that anyone can post.

 

Fair enough, Dan.
But let's see how that changes when we get undeniable scientific proof that the ionizing radiation from mobile phones is killing people.
Remember when cigs were considered 'harmless' in the 1950s? The truth knocked that industry flat on its ass.
As it has a way of doing.

I am around enough young people regularly to see they have an interest in news consumption ... if it doesn't involve the daily shitnado of our national politics.
Certain aspects need to be retired, yes.
The gamer is dead. It was thus in 2005 and I can't believe they still get written.

 

Asked the HS seniors in my classes today how many read a newspaper. Only one positive response: "My dad does."

Most do consume digital, but that can be anything.

 

My first experience with newspapers as a kid came by way of a clever contest.

Pick the winners of the college football games.

But where are the games from which to choose? Hidden in small type among a page full of ads.

 

As the editor of an association magazine ... um, no.

Then again, part of our members dues pays for a good chunk of the magazine, and we only send it out to members and our member clubs. Trying to find space in bookstores/grocery stores is expensive, and to your point, I can't remember the last time I've seen anyone lingering around the magazine rack at the local Kroger.

 

When I was a teen many moons ago I loved browsing the magazine rack for all the sports titles, and there were a lot. Recently in line at a Walgreens, I looked over and saw a couple fantasy baseball mags and an SI special edition, and that was it. Cooking and fitness seemed to be the most popular titles.

 

What a dumb decision. This was the best part of ESPN and they ruined it, and for what? I seriously doubt this mag was operating at a loss of THAT much — it’s ESPN for god sake

 

The Mouse lost money on a Star Wars film. Hard to pull off. They are going to cut anything they deem expendable, like a third-string center.