Signed up for a combo of liking Bedard and valuing the concept. Happy with the content thus far.
Greg Bedard's - Boston Sports Journal
- Thread starter RIFan
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I like most of their hires so far, but still seems bare bones to be paying money....i keep nickel and diming my debit card to debt with monthly renewals so I am hoping to wait until I learn more about the site before I subscribe. I get this is a catch 22 -- they need money to grow. But still haven't taken the plunge on this. I may be more inclined if reviews are good in the fall when football comes up (Bedard and Price's sweet spot, and 3 sports are in season).
Noticed McAdam is doing videos from the Trop. I'd expect these videos getting sponsored pretty soon.
Got my free military sub, really looking forward to finding out who the Bruins' writer is. The Pats daily stuff from Bedard is really interesting to me and I'm liking the Sox stuff so far.
I really enjoyed the BOB interview. I would love it in podcast form but interviewing nationally known sports figures that grew up in New England is a great concept.
I love that Bedard announced it 1 minute after his ESPN contract expired. Joe is hoping for a subscription bump after the announcement, so if you've been holding off now is a good time.
So I said I'd get the yearly membership if Joey Mac came on board and I just did.
Already has up interviews with Cassidy and Julien, an article about not having Pasta signed, an article rightfully ripping NHL network for under rating Bergy, and a Q&A. Worth it already and I won't read a thing on the Pats.
Already has up interviews with Cassidy and Julien, an article about not having Pasta signed, an article rightfully ripping NHL network for under rating Bergy, and a Q&A. Worth it already and I won't read a thing on the Pats.
This has been good, not great. But it's tough to judge it too harshly as only one of the four Boston teams is actually playing regular season games right now. I don't regret my purchase and will happily support this kind of subscription model, as it seems like the only way we're going to get quality content moving forward. Mainstream media will always cater to the click-bait because that's the smart move, monetarily.
I really want to see higher quality video content and podcasts. So far they've been lacking in that department. The videos are the kind of generic pool media stuff you can find anywhere, and the "podcasts" are just segments from broadcast radio shows that they've edited to the segments featuring BSJ staff. I would love to see/hear round-table discussions among the staff, guest interviews, feature segments (previews, recaps, etc.).... I think there's a lot of opportunity for that kind of stuff in a subscriber-based model and they would really knock it out of the park if they could bring some intelligent, insightful, A-level content there. Their initial pitch did mention that "Podcasts, videos and other multimedia projects are in the works." So I'm hoping those all pan out.
I really want to see higher quality video content and podcasts. So far they've been lacking in that department. The videos are the kind of generic pool media stuff you can find anywhere, and the "podcasts" are just segments from broadcast radio shows that they've edited to the segments featuring BSJ staff. I would love to see/hear round-table discussions among the staff, guest interviews, feature segments (previews, recaps, etc.).... I think there's a lot of opportunity for that kind of stuff in a subscriber-based model and they would really knock it out of the park if they could bring some intelligent, insightful, A-level content there. Their initial pitch did mention that "Podcasts, videos and other multimedia projects are in the works." So I'm hoping those all pan out.
I'll use this for my deal, if Greg Bedard starts his own podcast so I never have to tune in to Felger and Mass again to hear his thoughts, I'll sign up for a year.
I love this site. Seriously, Bedard's column this morning grading the Pats performance is top notch, and it's basically par for the course over there. So glad they put this site up, especially for us out of towners.
I like the clips that use the coaches film to break down a play. That stuff isn't always obvious on TV, and it is very insightful for stuff I don't know jack about like line play.
I'm going to attempt to strike nuance here, so forgive me if I fail in communicating it.
I am slightly disappointed in BSJ doubling down this morning on "sticking to sports." And it is clear from Bedard's column that he's put a lot of thought into this, so I don't mean to project ignorance onto anyone from the site. It's just that the position they take screams of false equivalence, and from reading the comments it seems like most of the readership is more than thrilled to solidify that false equivalence.
This has been covered ad nauseam in the V&N thread, but essentially, "politics" and sports have never been completely mutually exclusive. It's also possible to report on things like the Fenway banner and Pats players kneeling, events which took place on the field, without inserting political hot takes into articles -- in fact, I have a lot of faith in BSJ writers to do exactly that. Because of that, I just think it is unnecessary to make a statement that the site will be sticking its head in the sand and ignoring anything they deem to be slightly politically charged. Good writing, which BSJ has done plenty of to date, prods people to challenge their preconceived notions and walk on the edge of their comfort zone (in this case, "sports oasis") without being heavy-handed about it.
I understand the necessity of building up (and not offending) an audience in the early stages of the site. I can't fault Bedard for erring on the side of caution here, but I think this proclamation of closed-mindedness ultimately will prevent the site from being as comprehensive and enlightening as it could be. Then again, I am that buzzkill who gets distracted by typos and grammar mistakes, so I'm probably in the vast minority on this.
I am slightly disappointed in BSJ doubling down this morning on "sticking to sports." And it is clear from Bedard's column that he's put a lot of thought into this, so I don't mean to project ignorance onto anyone from the site. It's just that the position they take screams of false equivalence, and from reading the comments it seems like most of the readership is more than thrilled to solidify that false equivalence.
This has been covered ad nauseam in the V&N thread, but essentially, "politics" and sports have never been completely mutually exclusive. It's also possible to report on things like the Fenway banner and Pats players kneeling, events which took place on the field, without inserting political hot takes into articles -- in fact, I have a lot of faith in BSJ writers to do exactly that. Because of that, I just think it is unnecessary to make a statement that the site will be sticking its head in the sand and ignoring anything they deem to be slightly politically charged. Good writing, which BSJ has done plenty of to date, prods people to challenge their preconceived notions and walk on the edge of their comfort zone (in this case, "sports oasis") without being heavy-handed about it.
I understand the necessity of building up (and not offending) an audience in the early stages of the site. I can't fault Bedard for erring on the side of caution here, but I think this proclamation of closed-mindedness ultimately will prevent the site from being as comprehensive and enlightening as it could be. Then again, I am that buzzkill who gets distracted by typos and grammar mistakes, so I'm probably in the vast minority on this.
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I don't want to read more about the political stuff---glad they are skipping it.
If the angle is 'how does it impact team cohesion' and there's legit reporting (not just WEEI-esque speculation) then it's worth covering. But Bedard/Price speculating what guys might think about the impact of a political statement? That's garbage, imo, and better skipped.
If the angle is 'how does it impact team cohesion' and there's legit reporting (not just WEEI-esque speculation) then it's worth covering. But Bedard/Price speculating what guys might think about the impact of a political statement? That's garbage, imo, and better skipped.
This is exactly my point. Does anyone think they would run trash articles full of speculation? These issues can absolutely have tangible effects on teams that people up close would have unique insight into, and the writers are more than capable of covering that intelligently without descending into talk radio tropes -- but not if they cover their ears and repeat "stick to sports."
There is no shortage of media outlets talking about sports all day every day. I pay for this one because I think they can do it better.
Edit: Just as an analogue, I can't read the full articles or comments but DK Pittsburgh Sports appears to be all over the anthem stuff with the Steelers in a professional, thoughtful, uncontroversial manner. We will see what happens as BSJ grows.
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It may actually be kind of savvy. At a time when all the sports sites are crammed with the latest reports on who is standing, who is kneeling, what Jerry Jones is saying and the history of the national anthem, it's not insignificant that BSJ wants to be a place where you can avoid all that and just read about standings and performance.
IIRC this is what Bedard professed the site would be when it launched – so this was maybe a good test of it.
IIRC this is what Bedard professed the site would be when it launched – so this was maybe a good test of it.
I have to wonder if they've given any thought to joining with "The Athletic," who are now in SF, Chi, Cle, Det, Min, Phi, Stl, Pit. I tried a test subscription for Chicago, then realized I wasn't really reading it, so I didn't roll it over. But access to good stuff written in other cities ought to help tip the scales for some. If a BSJ subscription made it easy to read decent stuff about Francona or The Astros in advance of the playoffs, you'd think it would help. It may be too late for that, given whatever infrastructure investments they've made (and I don't know how The Athletic splits up its revenue) but I'd like to think he at least considered or is considering it.
If Medium had worked as a platform, that might have been helpful, as well, but not everything that seems to make sense works out.
If Medium had worked as a platform, that might have been helpful, as well, but not everything that seems to make sense works out.
Chances of that happening as I understand it are slim to none, and lean toward none. I know Greg was pretty skeptical of some aspects of The Athletic's model.
Yes, I think he implied (or outright said) that he'd starve if he jumped on board as The Athletic - Boston.
I really.....appreciated the doc mailbag. I don't want to say "enjoy" since the subject matter is a bit depressing (and since I'm permainjured), but I was a great differentiator to what is usually found in the press. Nice get, Greg!
As a paid subscriber, I wish I knew what article you were talking about. I missed it apparently.
It's a bit hard to find, but:
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/09/29/bsj-injury-mailbag-dr-jessica-flynn-rex-burkheads-ribs/
Still up...not sure what section to find it in but there is a link to it in the daily notes. Great new mailbag that will be up each week.
Thanks, (for me at least) it's not on the main page or any of the teams' coverage pages.
Wow! Thanks for that link. She seems like a great get for the site, and I look forward to more of the mailbags going forward.
Signing up a cap expert, a doctor, etc. is smart and helps provide different/deeper coverage than other platforms. Sure, ESPN has all those things but any given day/week they may not be focused on Boston sports. Done well, Miguel and this new doc can focus just on Pats (or in Flynn's case, Boston) sports.
Those are the kind of moves the site needs!
Those are the kind of moves the site needs!
I'm amazed at the quality (and quantity) of reporting I'm getting for less than $0.07 per day ($75 for 3 years).
Agreed, it's insane how cheap it is for the quality and quantity of what we are getting. I really hope they are charging enough to make it work long term.
Today's article on the number of Pats players who are primarily special teams guys and the small number of special team plays in the actual game last Sunday is exactly what I'm paying for (and why I like Bedard)
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/10/04/bedards-breakdown-could-patriots-focus-on-special-teams-players-be-catching-up-with-them/
It would be easy for this article to come off like a troll-job, or to have a good idea but be unable to demonstrate using data that it was worth discussing.
I have no idea if BB is really off on this or not, and history suggests (as Bedard implicitly acknowledges with reference to Belichick as possibly the greatest coach in history) that we should never bet on that being the case. But it's an interesting discussion and presented in a thoughtful, analytical way that you don't see in today's Globe or ever on WEEI.
https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/10/04/bedards-breakdown-could-patriots-focus-on-special-teams-players-be-catching-up-with-them/
It would be easy for this article to come off like a troll-job, or to have a good idea but be unable to demonstrate using data that it was worth discussing.
I have no idea if BB is really off on this or not, and history suggests (as Bedard implicitly acknowledges with reference to Belichick as possibly the greatest coach in history) that we should never bet on that being the case. But it's an interesting discussion and presented in a thoughtful, analytical way that you don't see in today's Globe or ever on WEEI.
Has Bedard ever talked about what kind of subscriber numbers are needed to sustain his site long term?
Just signed up for a year. 5,970. Roughly 400 in the last month since Mr Ripleys post. At $3.50 a user and assuming all are still active, that's roughly $250k yearly, between web costs and 5 contributors, it seems they definitely have more work to do. Hopefully it works for them, I like Greg quite a bit on Felger and Mazz and signed up to try and find some good Celtics coverage.
They've been posting updates about looking for advertising partners, mostly to defray travel costs. I think their content is great and wouldn't mind the presence of ads if it helps keep the site running.
Dejan Kovacevic's DK Pittsburgh Sports is the model, in more ways than one (BSJ licensed their website and app). Kovacevic started the site in 2014 and now has 40,000 subscribers. Not sure how much competition they have, though.
The respect for Bedard shown in this thread is infinitely more than he's shown the NE fanbase he now claims he wants to serve.
One difference I notice is that DK posts multiple podcasts under the DK banner daily with multiple hosts and subjects. Maybe that will be something Bedard will be able to do down the line.
Up to 6,500 subscribers now. They've been on a pretty steady pace of adding around 500 subscribers per month for the last few months. I hope they keep doing well, it's my first click every morning.
Worth noting that Bedard's inside scoop on how the Patriots addressed the Guerrero situation appears to be the only reporting thus far that has any sourcing from the team itself. Everything else, including Hohler's report, seems to have been attributed to third parties. This is a national story so that's a pretty good feather in their cap going in to the holiday.