David Smith of the Atlantic Laid off

Gees, I thought he was one of their top reporters


They only had three on staff: Gluck, Jordan Bianchi, and him. That's quite unfortunate for him. I don't agree with all of his conclusions, but his analysis is highly unique in the racing world. Hopefully he lands on his feet somewhere. Tough times.
 
Attempting to survive on paywalls in 2020 is not a smart strategy. More so for such a small outlet.
 
Attempting to survive on paywalls in 2020 is not a smart strategy.

Pre-pandemic, the Athletic was one of the few bright spots of growth in a sports media world rife with contraction and layoffs. What is your alternative to subscription-based professional media? Google ads?
 
Pre-pandemic, the Athletic was one of the few bright spots of growth in a sports media world rife with contraction and layoffs. What is your alternative to subscription-based professional media? Google ads?
This place. If it's worth knowing, it'll show up here.
 
Pre-pandemic, the Athletic was one of the few bright spots of growth in a sports media world rife with contraction and layoffs. What is your alternative to subscription-based professional media? Google ads?
There are tons of sports journalism outlets killing it without paywalls. Most adapting to the times and gaining revenue with sponsorships, merchandise, and CPM doing much more than just writing for print.

Paywalls aren't saving print journalism. It’s not making better content. It’s certainly not keeping journalists from being laid off.

Having a paywall in 2020 is simply acting like the incredible freelance content that comes from the internet no longer exists and the competition has evaporated. Sadly, too many publishers are in denial about the present state of print journalism.
 
There are tons of sports journalism outlets killing it without paywalls. Most adapting to the times and gaining revenue with sponsorships, merchandise, and CPM doing much more than just writing for print.

Paywalls aren't saving print journalism. It’s not making better content. It’s certainly not keeping journalists from being laid off.

Having a paywall in 2020 is simply acting like the incredible freelance content that comes from the internet no longer exists and the competition has evaporated. Sadly, too many publishers are in denial about the present state of print journalism.

Thoughtful response, thanks. I don't agree with your conclusions. As conceived, The Athletic is less a "paywall" (such as those employed by old-media newspapers seeking to monetize their formerly free online content) and more simply a subscription service, of which there are scores of successful ones. There is room for different approaches. Most freelancers support their work via donation / subscriber platforms such as Patreon, and provide premium content to direct supporters. High quality "free" original content rarely remains so for long.

The Athletic is primarily the work of established professional sports journalists who formerly worked for old world media companies (with substantial salaries) and former freelancer media personalities (such as Jeff Gluck, who had an existing fanbase of Patreon supporters who they sought to bring into their fold by hiring him). It is intended as a combination of premium national sports coverage and specialized local sports coverage that is pitched as a replacement for the local sports page. A potential subscriber either thinks the content is worth the subscription cost or not. In my first year of subscribing, I found it compelling and unique enough to justify the cost (at least at the promo rate). It is not a property that could exist as free content for the end user.

Others may not find value in it. Its existence isn't a denial of the presence of "free" content. I'm somewhat skeptical whether it can be a profitable enterprise long term, but for the time being, they were hardly struggling before the pandemic, and will likely continue growing after sports resumes in earnest. Firing David Smith is unfortunate, but is likely more a reflection of his status as an extremely niche contributor who was expendable.
 
Last edited:
Good for him for catching up to the times of how printjourn is supported.

He had direct subscribers before The Athletic hired him and paid him a salary, and is reverting back to that model now that they've fired him. His career preference was obvious, but hopefully he has enough supporters to allow his work to flourish. There is nothing more advanced about soliciting Patreon donors than soliciting readers to purchase a subscription.
 
There is nothing more advanced about soliciting Patreon donors than soliciting readers to purchase a subscription.
Except the fact that now his work is open to the public for free and if anyone wishes to support him, and only him, they can.

With a paywall the general audience doesn't get that chance. Only hardcore fans.

It’s not an argument of being more advanced. It’s an argument of having a larger audience. The paywall bounce rate is tremendous. 80% average. Meaning 80% of potential readers click away and never re-enter to subscribe.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom