OT: theathletic.com, worth it?
Wanted to get this in before the OT blood letting. Anyone subscribe to theathletic.com (specifically the Detroit site)? Is it worth it? Do you get access to all cities, or is the subscription price for 1 city only? Any idea if the The Athletic's All American is included with a city subscription?
Thanks for the group knowledge
August 24th, 2017 at 9:18 AM ^
excellent OT question right before the deadline. seems like it's really building up. ken rosenthal just went there. i liked brendan quinn's michigan stuff. but it isn't clear whether i'd be paying for a few decent articles or a whole bunch. so i second the OP's request for insight.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:19 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^
They're launching a new college football site this week that I'm planning to sign up for.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:33 AM ^
I'm a fan of Stew Mandel, and he's landed there after the FoxSportsVideoContentRulez axing. Sure, he occasionally riles Brian (and probably every other fan of any given team at any given time). He's a good writer who strives for an objective viewpoint.
More importantly, I think we should put our money where our mouths are and support this kind of endeavor. Much like we look for ways to support the MGoBlog guys (beveled guilt is right here), a $5 per month subscription supports ad-free, intelligently written content. That alone is worth trying them out this season.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:30 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 9:32 AM ^
I really like B Quinn's article about how michigan basketball landed it's assistant coaches. So +1 for subscribing
August 24th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
Is there a comments section?
If so, how is the Michigan/MSU relationship? Do people stay in their lanes? Is the junk moderated out?
August 24th, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^
There is a comments section, but from what I've seen it's very rarely used. I haven't seen any fighting.
August 24th, 2017 at 9:40 AM ^
I wasn't sure what to make of it but adding Ken Rosenthal is big-time.
I'm curious about who their college football writers are going to be. Mandel is a good addition but having Seth Miracle Cure Davis running the college basketball site? No thanks.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:02 AM ^
Looks like the college football staff will be...
Stewart Mandel
Nicole Auerbach
Chantel Jennings
Chris Vannini
Matt Fortuna
Max Olson
Jason Kersey
Max Bultman has been covering UM for the Detroit specific site.
For basketball, it looks like national will be...
Seth Davis
Brian Hamilton
Sam Veccini
Brendan Quin for UM and MSU
August 24th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
Actually it looks like they also just added Tom Luginbill for CF recruiting as well....
August 24th, 2017 at 9:54 AM ^
I think their coverage of the Red Wings in the offseason has been really good. Custenance has a lot of good insight and they have several writers looking at the analytics of the Wings. The Tigers coverage has been pretty good too. I think Quinn has done a good job with UM basketball coverage so far (and over the past few years). I'm not sure what they have for UM football lined up, but this site pretty much has that covered. I'd definitely recommend it overall.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
I question whether there's a reason to ever pay for content, when patience can get you all the content you need for free.
At this point, there seems to be too much content to read, no matter the subject.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^
I'd say the reason to pay is to support people's work that you enjoy.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:46 AM ^
Right. It's like the Beveled Guilt button here, or like buying things from the MGoStore. You're supporting the writers themselves, not just the ad networks. Especially if people are the type who use AdBlock everywhere they go.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
That's a fair enough reason. The thing is - if it's factual, it'll be found elsewhere for free within 20 minutes. That makes the author mostly jejune.
August 24th, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^
they're not going to write game recaps, etc. at least they haven't with the tigers so far. it's more scouting and analysis and interview/in-depth type stories.
they might get some scoops but they won't hide them behind the paywall.
some of it is kinda mgoblog/fangraphs type, probably not as in-depth with that type analysis but they cover far more--all your teams and all your sports. i wouldn't recommend getting it just for michigan football, but for detroit teams and sports in general it's probably going to be far better than an espn type site. i think that's who they're trying to compete against, and they will provide far better content if the business model holds.
they'll have specials too, especially at the end of articles in new markets. i think i got a year for $20 i think.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
It's a decent strategy for premium recruiting sites, where all the key content is facts that eventually leak out. Is it really worth to pay in order to find out about a verbal commitment a few hours before everyone else? I don't know if it will work for a site like The Athletic though, because they seem to be more focused on writing content instead of just reporting facts. When Brendan Quinn writes a story about Mo Wagner's path forward, the contents of that article probably aren't ever becoming widespread.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
absolutely not!
/end thread
August 24th, 2017 at 10:27 AM ^
I can't speak for the All American (the new CFB work with Mandel) but I've subscribed for a while for the Leafs and Jays content and the coverage is top notch. A broad mix of articles on the team and prospects covering basic news as well as more in-depth analytical articles, film breakdowns, and looks at prospects. So far it seems like the Michigan coverage is ramping up still but there have been some interesting articles about the bball assistants.
Also, it seems like my subscription is covering everything so far, but not sure if I'll need a separate one for the All American.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
Yes. I'm in Chicago, and I prefer its coverage of the Cubs, Bulls, and Bears to the content I can get for free on other sites.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:52 AM ^
All I know is there is a ton of good talent moving to the Athletic.
EDIT: Nevermind -- had no idea how expensive it was. Thought it'd be like $25/year tops. It's like $50.
August 24th, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^
I know...but it's just enough for me to not sign-up blindly and wait until I hear there is actually some must-read content that I'm missing.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^
looks like the last one was during the eclipse. not sure if it was 30% or 50%.
just got to search twitter for it now and then.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
Not sure if I'd pull the trigger and sign up for it, but definitely respect what they're trying to do.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^
I've been happy with it so far. I got a deal when Quinn went over so it was about $30 for the year which seems reasonable. The content has been good for the local Detroit stuff so far, so I'm encouraged and I think it's an interesting idea that I'm willing to give a shot to supporting.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:59 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 11:12 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
It used to work for newspapers before the internet. Magazines still exists. With top quality writing it should work. Look at the sites like Rivals, Scout and 247Sports. They have the same setup, but do provide what they call "insider info." I see it working, and it being the future of journalism. It's at least worth a shot.
August 24th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^
If you want excellent long form written content, it is worth the cost. As it currently comes with all of the areas they cover you can pick your favorite teams and enjoy. Being able to pick your favorite teams and only get that content is particually good since you don't have to sort through stories that do not matter to you.
August 24th, 2017 at 12:47 PM ^
Magazines are generally struglling as much as newspapers and they're basically given away for free because they sell a ton of ads which probably won't last much longer as advertisers become less willing to pay for those ads.
I do agree that people will be willing to pay for premium written content, though. The better comparison is premium TV, IMO. Someone might ask, why would I pay to watch television when I can/used to get it for free? Well, no ads, and far superior content is why people pay for premium television. It will work on some scale for written media as well.
August 24th, 2017 at 11:41 AM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^
August 24th, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^
I subscribed a couple weeks ago when I saw a 50% promo, and love it. Really good content on MSU/Michigan, Tigers, Lions, Warriors. Not stuff you get in the newspapers.
And no ads, no videos. Just content.
For the Warriors they broke down a couple of the contract decsions from team/player standpoint, then took a guess at what each side would do. MSU Football is getting contributions from Darien Harris, a LB from a couple years ago who's stuff isn't just boilerplate junk. Quinn on Michigan BBall has been good.
They have Tiger's minor league prospect updates, fall camp stuff from Lions.
I really hope they expand their soccer content, but hopefully that's coming.
August 24th, 2017 at 12:57 PM ^
Quinn was the main reason why. I also enjoyed Chantal Jennings' Michigan coverage back in the day.
I haven't been overly impressed with the content, but since quinn was my primary motivation, that makes sense since it's the offseason. I'm excited by all the new hires and to see what they bring to the table during football season. Certainly rooting for their success. They have an impressive roster.
August 24th, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^
I subscribed a few months ago, and have loved it. It gives you the feel of a newspaper, only all the writers are good. I think you get all content they have for the one price, including any cities. I have been able to access M content on there as well as Chicago sports teams. They're launching CBB and CFB sections as well in the very near future. I'm hoping that is all inclusive as well in the price. So far, the $5/month has been well worth it.