Bedard's site starts its free trial today

[Ian]

I don't object to the model -- I think it's a fine model, in fact.

I object to Bedard and his long-term demonstrated douchiness. Dump him and swap in Reiss and I'd subscribe right away.

Honestly, I wonder if Mike might look at this and wonder if he should just bet on himself and give it a go. He'd have zero problem garnering a large enough readership to make it on his own and I'm sure he'd have no issue convincing a Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins person to join him. Hopefully Bedard's leap of faith inspires Mike to do the same as it's no secret he's shown public friction at times where he is right now.

 

[patchick]

I don't object to the model -- I think it's a fine model, in fact.

I object to Bedard and his long-term demonstrated douchiness. Dump him and swap in Reiss and I'd subscribe right away.

FWIW I don't see them as comparable or interchangeable at all. Reiss is a pure reporter (and an excellent one). We trust him for reliable news and access, not for football insights. Maybe Bedard has said things to piss us off in the past few years, but I still miss that brief time when he was the Globe beat writer and we'd see articles like these:

How the Patriots use tight ends to their advantage - The Boston Globe
Patriots no-huddle relies on power of one - The Boston Globe

 

[raduray]

so poor re. from Howe . but typical

Yeah, but to give him credit, his stuff on the Herald is not behind a paywall.

 

[raduray]

Not so much king anymore. Ad revenue is declining and ad blocker use is growing, which is killing everyone and we've certainly been impacted. In another year or two I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a little concerned about the future and the donations here have continued to play a big part as they certainly help in allowing us to eek out a couple of the slow months over the offseason. I won't ever wall the site off completely, but subscriptions might eventually play a bigger role in our survival in the future if things continue down the path that they are.

Interesting. I just disabled my adblocker for your domain.

 

[raduray]

Honestly, I wonder if Mike might look at this and wonder if he should just bet on himself and give it a go. He'd have zero problem garnering a large enough readership to make it on his own and I'm sure he'd have no issue convincing a Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins person to join him. Hopefully Bedard's leap of faith inspires Mike to do the same as it's no secret he's shown public friction at times where he is right now.

Mike's handcuffed by his need for employer provided health insurance. I respect his situation.