The Athletic - US sports site

[KingsX]

5 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

New podcast on the way:

 

https://theathletic.com/podcast/160-50001/?episode=1&from_module=1

 

Really enjoying the content so far, though not sure if it be value for money when at full price...

 

The only thing that has disappointed me about the Athletic is Tanner.  Such bland and anodyne stuff.  I don’t know if he’s trying to protect his access at the club, but he avoids addressing any meaty questions in the Q&As, and sticks to what the public already knows.

 

Almost anything truly insightful about LCFC (or other PL clubs) there comes from Cox or Ornstein.

[urban.spaceman]

3 minutes ago, KingsX said:

 

The only thing that has disappointed me about the Athletic is Tanner.  Such bland and anodyne stuff.  I don’t know if he’s trying to protect his access at the club, but he avoids addressing any meaty questions in the Q&As, and sticks to what the public already knows.

 

Almost anything truly insightful about LCFC (or other PL clubs) there comes from Cox or Ornstein.

I'll definitely have to check some of their stuff out. I've quite liked some of Tanner's stuff - you can tell he's much freer and unrestricted than he ever was at the Mercury with their advertising driven format.

[Nick]

So I’m considering a subscription to this.

 

Anybody else subscribe? Thoughts? Is the Leicester stuff just written by Tanner? Is there coverage of lots of clubs and other sports too?

 

If I subscribe can I see back issues and stories?

 

Is it in a newspaper of magazine format and is it weekly/monthly in terms of editions?

[KingsX]

20 hours ago, Swan Lesta said:

So I’m considering a subscription to this.

 

Anybody else subscribe?

Is the Leicester stuff just written by Tanner?

Nearly all.  Occasionally one of he other football writers will venture onto Leicester turf; some seem knowledgeable, others terribly London-centric.  I've been disappointed with Tanner pieces that tell me only what I already know -- he seems quite constrained on what he can put on record (compared to what he must know).  I wish he'd stick his neck out more, like his recent Coutinho/Lallana-not-happening story.  That said, he's obviously knowledgeable and has access to do some delightful player features.  And he has a fortnightly podcast with Matt Elliott.  I'm guessing he's the last full-time journo writing stories (vice mostly cut-and-pasting clickbait) about LCFC?  And I'm on board with that.  We're a big enough club to deserve more than 20% of John Percy plus whatever that mess is in the Mercury.

 

Is there coverage of lots of clubs and other sports too?

PL and high end Championship, yes.  The rest of English football is very spotty.  It's a cornucopia for fans of American sports; I don't even have time time to read it all.  No idea what other sports you like but if they are UK based, you may not find a lot of coverage.  They expanded into the UK market in the obvious place -- big football clubs.

 

If I subscribe can I see back issues and stories?  yes

 

Is it in a newspaper of magazine format and is it weekly/monthly in terms of editions?

No.  More like a newsfeed (though they do have a magazine-like features sidebar).  New stories are posted chronologically as they come out.  Whatever sports and clubs you have signed up to, you see those every time you refresh the homescreen.  I get a couple dozen pieces a day.  Of which three or four a week are Tanner pieces.

 

AFAIK, there is always some kind of deal on to get a first year's subscription for less than half price.  I'm still on mine.  Renewing will be a no-brainer for me, but folks in the UK (outside of NBA or NFL addicts) will find less value.  My suggestion, find a good cheap intro deal.  Then you'll have a year to decide whether it's worth renewing.

[Nick]

5 hours ago, KingsX said:

Is the Leicester stuff just written by Tanner?

Nearly all.  Occasionally one of he other football writers will venture onto Leicester turf; some seem knowledgeable, others terribly London-centric.  I've been disappointed with Tanner pieces that tell me only what I already know -- he seems quite constrained on what he can put on record (compared to what he must know).  I wish he'd stick his neck out more, like his recent Coutinho/Lallana-not-happening story.  That said, he's obviously knowledgeable and has access to do some delightful player features.  And he has a fortnightly podcast with Matt Elliott.  I'm guessing he's the last full-time journo writing stories (vice mostly cut-and-pasting clickbait) about LCFC?  And I'm on board with that.  We're a big enough club to deserve more than 20% of John Percy plus whatever that mess is in the Mercury.

 

Is there coverage of lots of clubs and other sports too?

PL and high end Championship, yes.  The rest of English football is very spotty.  It's a cornucopia for fans of American sports; I don't even have time time to read it all.  No idea what other sports you like but if they are UK based, you may not find a lot of coverage.  They expanded into the UK market in the obvious place -- big football clubs.

 

If I subscribe can I see back issues and stories?  yes

 

Is it in a newspaper of magazine format and is it weekly/monthly in terms of editions?

No.  More like a newsfeed (though they do have a magazine-like features sidebar).  New stories are posted chronologically as they come out.  Whatever sports and clubs you have signed up to, you see those every time you refresh the homescreen.  I get a couple dozen pieces a day.  Of which three or four a week are Tanner pieces.

 

AFAIK, there is always some kind of deal on to get a first year's subscription for less than half price.  I'm still on mine.  Renewing will be a no-brainer for me, but folks in the UK (outside of NBA or NFL addicts) will find less value.  My suggestion, find a good cheap intro deal.  Then you'll have a year to decide whether it's worth renewing.

Thanks - that’s a great post.

 

I’ve decided to go for it on the half price for 12 months - £29.99 seems about right - especially as I’m dipping my toe in the water. It’d be great to see them extend their coverage of other sports too. Motorsport appears to be pretty much mainly all NASCAR and stuff - be nice for them to get a greater F1 and a MotoGP presence also maybe a bit of Prem rugby etc.

 

I’ve listened to the podcast a bit this morning - some interesting bits to be fair and some ‘chat’ with not so much substance!

 

I remember Tanner moving on and was pleased for him as rehashing the mercbait where every article is just a re-hash of other baseless shite was unbecoming of a guy who had a heart and genuine connections and relationships in a club and was being asked to write and publish shite daily that destroyed them... He deserved better. I hope The Athletic is what he wanted it to be - it strikes me there are some real options from an art design and editorial basis to make it so much more. I hope tanner can begin to be recognised as a Leicester authority with integrity and build on club relations to get feature exclusives with the board, owners and managers with some real inside insight and content. I wish him well - though recognise he needs to be careful not to over saturate when there’s not loads of news... quality over quantity.

 

 

 

 

[stripeyfox]

I've got a couple of 30 day free passes for The Athletic. PM an email address and I can send you a link

[RumbleFox]

I’ve had a subscription for about a year and I’d say it’s definitely worth it. Some great tactical and historical articles on there and I general the level of writing waaaaaay above most newspapers. Worth the fee for me. X 

[Footballwipe]

Have to say I don't subscribe to their site but I do have the Ornstein & Chapman podcast subbed. It's free and really, really good. Ornstein has really shown to be a good presenter with the sad temporary absence of Chapman, and his insider knowledge and abilities stretch far beyond Arsenal.

 

Their team reporters and specialists reporters are really, really good, though the Chelsea one was annoyingly blase about their chances of getting Chilwell. They've also done 20 individual, short pods previewing each team in the build up to the restart.

 

They've also just taken on the Totally Football Show (Muddy Knees Media) who have linked up with them.

[stripeyfox]

Good interview with Jamie Vardy posted on The Athletic this morning

 

talking about home schooling, growing an allotment, and scoring 100 PL goals. Good stuff