Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Why I'm Joining The Athletic

I​ realized something​ a few months ago​ that​ simultaneously made​ me feel very old and​​ also kind of proud: I’m now into my second decade of sportswriting.

That’s not all that much in the grand scheme of things, and you don’t get a trophy or collectible pin for it, but it’s still kind of neat. And it feels like the sort of milestone that goes well with a major career change. Today, I can share that I’ve reached that point, too. Earlier this summer, I agreed to join The Athletic on a full-time basis.

And now, I’m writing a post about it, because they are making me do that.

It’s kind of a thing around here.

I’m guessing you know the drill. Computer scientists estimate that the internet produces roughly 1,200 petabytes of data per month, and at this point, I think roughly half of that is sportswriters explaining why they’ve joined The Athletic. By now, you’re familiar with the basics – the industry is going through a tough time, new business models are needed, and it no longer feels unreasonable to ask readers to pay for a product that has value, just like they do in almost every other type of business. Not having to fight through ads or auto-playing videos to get to the content is a nice bonus.

All of that is true. I’m just not sure how much I can add to it. But I’ve always believed in a “when in Rome” type of philosophy. When you move to a new neighborhood, you learn the local customs. When you’re in a stadium and everyone else starts doing the wave, you roll your eyes and join in. When you’re traded to the Senators, you immediately demand a trade away from the Senators. And when you join The Athletic, you write a post about why you’re joining The Athletic.

So that’s what I’m doing.

But how? What’s the angle? How do you make something like this feel fresh? I briefly considered posting an adorable childhood photo of myself sleeping under The Athletic bed sheets, but apparently, somebody else already beat me to that idea. So instead, I’m going to stick with the story of how I got here. Because it’s not one that many of my peers can tell.

>> Read the full post at The Athletic





18 comments:

  1. That's great. I already subscribe to The Atlantic magazine. Nice to see they are delving into sports ……. wait ….. what? Oh, … never mind.

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  2. I've been reading you for over five years now. Sorry we have to part ways here.

    Of course, I'll also be sorry when I have to pony up $5 a month when I inevitably crack as soon as the season starts...I want my grab bags!!

    Congrats Sean!!!

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  3. I would excessively prefer a Patreon route so I can pay you directly, but I know that doesn't put food on the table unless you are some dickhole on Youtube. You are literally the only sports writer I would pay money to read (well, maybe Barnwell) and that's what I'm going to do because there isn't a hockey season without DGB.

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  4. I have to pay to read DGB?! Well... I guess it is kind of weird that I was able to get a seven-year free sample of something so enjoyable... Damn it, I'm in.

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  5. Damn it Sean. I've been reading your work religiously since you started. Absolutely my favorite writer in the biz. Never thought I would pony up the cost for The Athletic but if you're there it's worth every dime. Congrats on the move McIndoe.

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  6. Congratulations!

    When Grantland closed down, I wrote you an e-mail and said that you were the only sportswriter around who I'd be willing to follow behind a paywall. You'll be pleased to know I'm a man of my word; time to see if this "The Athletic" thingamabob is as good as the hype.

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  7. Congrats. You will be missed on the mainstream but this just makes my Athletic subscription a no-brainer now. We need BISCUITS though!

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  8. I've considered the Athletic for a while but never bothered. I read this yesterday and subscribed. That unwilling to miss out on your work

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  9. Congratulations! I have been following since the Grantland days and will continue on to the Athletic days. Whats the word on Lozo and the Biscuits podcast?

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  10. Been a fan since the beginning. Now I have to pay to read your stuff? You know, other than the book I paid for. And that other book with Wysh and Lozo. Oh, and the pre-order for the new book. Come to think of it, you've already been taking my money for a while.

    -The one true Maple Leafs fan named Sean.

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  11. I already pre ordered the book. Hoping there is an Ottawa-area signing! I am gonna seriously consider The Athletic, I think it would be hard to watch hockey without DGB.

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  12. Congratulations on the new gig. In the immortal words of Fry from Futurama, "shut up and take my money!" I've signed up for The Athletic.

    How will your writing change in this new role? Are you going to be focused on a single team? Will your tone change to be less humorous (or more?) Most importantly, will the Friday Grab Bag continue?!

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  13. Congrats! I will be following you to the Athletic for sure. Well worth it for me. The big question is: are you still doing the podcast with Lozo? Please, please do. I look forward to it every week!

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  14. I hate paywall sites. This is especially true for sports sites since I am, at best, a casual fan of any sport and I really can't justify the expenditure. But your articles have been great! Generally a good mix of humor and information that have been a large part of me following hockey the past 6 or so years. So, I'm going to give it a try for a year and see how it goes. Keep it up Sean, it's made my hockey fandom a better experience!

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  15. Oh well, I've been a long time occasional reader (every month or so I'd pop on) but I abhor paywall sites so I guess it's goodbye.
    I do subscribe to some online content, but am not about to pay for something I look at maybe once a month.

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  16. living in 3rd world economy, it might be hard for me to subscribe. i need to start to make a plan to live in the first world. I discover you from your book and since then I read DGB religiously. but like any religions, money changes everything. sad day but life is about suffering anyway

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  17. I don't know why you couldn't have gotten a job at The Ringer. It's pretty much Grantland 2.0, and the hockey writing is where they could use the most work. Oh well Good luck with the new gig, but I'm afraid I'll not be following along, much as I might wish to.

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