Lock this thread before it gets too out of hand
I'm a relative newbie. Can you explain what these funds go to? Salary? Production?
HUEL to fix the sidebar
Not enough money in the world
Hookers and Blow
I ask the same question every time I get groceries at Meijer
This is basically how we stay in business and pay a bunch of good writers who contribute to us all year. I can't break down all the numbers this second but most of the kickstarter pays for the editorial, production, printing, and mailing (standard class) costs of producing the book for the people who bought it on Kickstarter. I also print more to sell wholesale (which ain't happening much this year), and to sell out of our store. When all's said and done 70% of the profit goes to MGoBlog Inc. to pay Brian's and Ace's and my salaries and server costs and all the other stuff that keeps MGoBlog going, and 30% goes to me as the publisher who produced the thing, because this book is what makes it possible for me to do all of this for a living.
I literally had no idea this was the purpose, and I am now buying one because of it. I would advocate you putting this out there more prominently because I want this website to continue and the writers to live a comfortable life (you entertain/manage quite the group of donkey-butts). Thanks for being transparent and take my money.
Comfortable ain't happening this year. We've lost sponsors and the book is going to take a big hit, and because I make almost all my money from ad commissions and HTTV I'm looking at quite a huge chunk at the same time my wife had to take a big paycut to keep her agency afloat. I know there are a lot of people in worse shape though--my household is two employed people, while I know a lot of households with zero right now--and I don't want my personal financial problems being the reason people buy or read my stuff. It ought to be worth it, you know, because you want to read my stuff.
seth,
is there a way of doing this that doesn't involve having to join up on kickstarter? i don't remember doing that in past years and i'm probably not the only person who has way too many accounts and tries to avoid starting new ones unless its absolutely necessary.
You can wait and pre-order from our store when that's available I guess.
signed up last night. says no charges on card until 6/30. i guess at some point we get to pick a shirt and a size.
Pretty sure you've always had to have a kick starter account to use their service.
Not sure why putting your email address and a password into a service is a problem though. You won't get any email that you don't ask for.
Every time you enter your contact info into a new site, it's one more opportunity to get your information stolen by hackers.
I am with you XM with everything you said. Every year it gets funded and I buy from the MGoStore.
I don't want my personal financial problems being the reason people buy or read my stuff. It ought to be worth it, you know, because you want to read my stuff.
That's admirable. I really enjoy reading your stuff (and of course the other stuff here).
But let's be honest: I enjoy reading a lot of stuff. But it's summer, and times tend to be a bit lean in my family at this time of year, too. I enjoy the folks who write at the Athletic and hope it succeeds, but I don't have the cash to pay for that right now. I enjoy my local newspaper's website, but I don't have the cash to subscribe to it right now. I enjoy national publications, and don't have the cash to pay for them.
I enjoy your writing, but I don't "just" enjoy your writing. I get the kickstarter because I want this site to continue to prosper, and because I read you enough that you guys feel like more than content producers to me. You feel like friends.
I think a lot of people feel the same way.
Well, now you did it. I was not going to buy this year because I have been pretty disappointed in many things on the blog this year, notably the lack of football recruiting coverage and the bpone (and the continuing way you stop doing coverage of the OSU games). But I will admit that you, Seth, are the one very good thing this blog has going. I will click over and buy my copy now.
"...the reason people buy or read my stuff."
The reason I read your stuff is because it is very well researched, expertly laid out, of interest to me, and very informative. It's sauced down enough to be understandable, but not so much as to be boring. I LOVE the way you format and write.
The lack of post-game OSU coverage, and general BPONE/whining (esp about OSU) surrounding football from the owner, takes off some of the shine from the site. But luster is restored when you and Ace (and the others) offer up content about how the game is played, and why it's played that way.
I feel for the financial issues you, and so many others, are dealing with from the C-19 fallout. While I would be happy to donate to a fundraiser for you (if it comes to that), rest assured that I'll pay for your MGoBlog content for what it is - damn good stuff that I like to read!
here's a thought, maybe a solution: everybody that wants to flame war about politics can do so, but at the cost of, say, $250/yr. make 'em pay for the lack of self control and put some dinero in some deserving pockets. win-win.
That'd be a great idea!
Also I'd like to get the NCAA to tie football games to each school's state Covid rates. Want an Iron Bowl, put a mask on!
I'm surprised you don't experiment with new business models during this downturn
Seth, I'll consider buying this but to be honest I'm not participating in this site much anymore. It's changed since the web re-design especially the threads and quality of people posting.
If you guys consider making a second OT forum where political and non sports talk can go I think that would help many of the users. The constant anger, arguing, politics and personal attacks make me look for another sports site tbh.
If you guys can't fix points, allow signatures and keep the message boards functioning properly consistently please consider outsourcing the forums to a service that specializing in hosting these. Most of us would be happy to be donors for a high quality forum. What we have now isn't good ... can be done in a revenue positive way for you folks easily.
Very much under consideration. There will be another site iteration but I'm not committing to any kind of timeline because part of the plan is to match the next wave of site technology, where your site is basically an app in itself. You probably already read a bunch of sites that work that way.
I own a medical device company and every time I feel sorry for myself because of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on our financials (the procedures our device is used in have been deemed "elective ") I'm reminded there are folks much worse off than us. Such as:
Airlines
Restaurants
Sports Blogs
Well done with that list! Subtlety not so subtle.
I have zero sympathy for airlines. They've recorded huge profits in the past decade, at the expense of our comfort on flights. Rather than invest that money back into the business and/or stash it into rainy day funds, they paid themselves handsome bonuses via stock buybacks. All that does is reward the C-Suite. There are no reasons the airlines (especially the bigger ones) shouldn't have billions in cash available to see through this downturn.
I mean, if they could have even made it through 3 months before asking for handouts, okay... But no! On day 1 they were begging. Same with oil companies - on day 1 complaining about losing money. They've made billions in profit each quarter for a decade. Fuck off, oil men...
Thank you for sharing your opinion on a sports blog.
Any chance Homefield is making the shirt this year?
UGP is making the shirts. We're using much nicer quality ones now for all of our shirts.
Thanks for answering.
Just to be clear by what you mean by higher quality, as it's a bit subjective. Are these shirts that won't make someone wearing one outside in a humid climate want to die because they're so heavy and stiff?
https://mgoblogstore.com/collections/mgoblog/products/worst-state-ever-navy
Tri-blend. 50/25/25 polyester/airlume, about 3.8 oz for an XL, combed and ringspun cotton/rayon.
The old shirts were Gildan Heavy Cotton. 100% cotton, about 5.3 oz for an XL. We switched last year because, not kidding, my wife didn't like that my belly shows on the gildan shirts I have.
Welp, as someone whose public sector salary was unaffected by the pandemic, I just ordered a cool Bo headset t-shirt. Next, I'll click on the manscaped ad (God help me). I know all that basically gets you a large fries, but I hope it helps a little.
The collision of images in my head which saw Wilford Brimley checking out manscaping was way too much for a Monday morning. Need more warning. The coffee hasn’t fully kicked in yet.
Any probability that "tall" sizes will be offered at some point?
Pfft... Everything is for tall people. Try being short some day, it'll be enlightening to you! I'm 5'5", trying to find hunting clothes that don't have to be altered is impossible. Literally impossible.
Tall sizes would be great!
if the shirts are made of quality material, I'll by a few - is there anyone who can vauch for material/manufacturer?
It's been over 24 hours and not at $30k yet - c'mon people!
There. I just pushed it over $30K
I tried on the original link and got a spinner.
This one works. Thanks for HTTV!!!
Release party/ in person pickup going to happen this year? I’ll probably buy the book just because - but sharing nachos and beer with Dr. Sap , Mr. Boyd, David ( the hockey guy), and of course Seth is / was cool.
Uh...
I would really like to do these but it'll have to be pretty weird this year. And definitely not indoors. Original plan was to do a few of them.
I don't know. Every year I buy one, we get waxed by OSU.
HTTV may be cursed.
curse or no curse I've bought a book. The amount of hours I spend on MgoBlog it's a bargain. Best of luck to employees and Brian during this time
Yeah, I typed that comment before reading Seth's.
Ol' Vlad is in again, bigly.
Is Hotel Putingrad close to Hotel California?
Just two right turns away.
I'm in. The money goes to good people I respect, and I get hours of fun reading on a hot summer day with no football.
Can’t wait to say soccer sucks on the signature page.