What is wrong with ESPN.com

by Mityt on Jul 9, 2006 12:42 AM PDT Comment 3 comments

I daily go to peruse NBA news over the web and usually start with ESPN.com or sacbee for my Kings related news. However ESPN insider is pushing me out of the door and I am frustrated as hell at ESPNs web coverage. Why should I even bother to go to that site when 70% of the content is restricted pay-for-it material. I can get most of the same information from the net and SR really has better news than any other mainstream official sports website I have seen. Really... why would I pay for espn insider when I can get the same info 1-2 hours later than "breaking news." I mean, perhaps if I wasn't a cheap bastard then this wouldn't be a problem but I don't even see the real value in the content they provide. It is interesting to hear the latest trade rumors but this content alone is not enough to encourage me to buy. Maybe if they bundled streaming videos of games or something I would think about it. During the season I can get fairly detailed video highlights from NBA.com for free so I feel I should be getting "can't do without it in-depth material" for my buck and I just don't see it. Why would a mainstream sports juggernaut want to alienate most of its browsers? Is the extra dough thay receive really worth the loss of free viewers...and subsequent loss of advertising viewing (which I would speculate is more revenue than insider gets).

I suppose I should apologize if you read my rant all the way down to here for I tend to really harp on a subject when it really gets under my skin. Perhaps this really bothers others as well. Take the poll and lets find out.

Poll

Would you pay for ESPN insider (or comparable service... please comment on service if applicable)

Yes

24 votes

I might consider it

9 votes

No

40 votes

73 votes | Poll has closed

(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

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Comments

Re: What is wrong with ESPN.com

Actually, I do and have paid for ESPN Insider for some time. If you play fantasy sports, there are some features you can use, and some of their best columnists are inside the Insider firewall. Is it worth the 6.95 per month? Probably not, but I use it enough that I'd hate to cancel.

The worst part? They send their crappy magazine to me - talk about something that was created for the ADD crowd. Between the deteriorating SI, ESPN's magazine, and the shell of it's former self that is the Sporting News, there really aren't any weekly or bi-weekly sports magazines I like anymore. Thank god for the internet.

If there was an option to pay extra and NOT receive their magazine, I'd take it.

by otis29 on Jul 9, 2006 8:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've got it

The reason they charge for it is because they can. Think of the insider stuff as more of an online magazine that you pay a subscription for. That's where they keep their in-depth analysis, scouting reports and trade rumors. The free stuff is just basically the reports of what's happening. I'm on there everyday so it's worth it to me to pay $48/year. You also get ESPN the magazine every two weeks, and although I like SI better, it's still pretty good.

by hammystyle on Jul 10, 2006 1:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: What is wrong with ESPN.com

I have to disagree with you. About 4 months ago I signed up for insider, paid 19.95 for a full year, and love it. But I love to hear all the trade rumors, and analysis of summer league play, and free agent stuff. I also think the magazine is pretty good to. S.I. is better, but way to expensive. I know it comes every week, but I don't have time to read a mag every week. Even though I only read articles about football and basketball.

by dragox34 on Aug 11, 2006 11:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs