Cardinals magazine?

[Scott]

Hello all. I'm new here, so please bear with me if I don't do things right!

Having moved to Arizona recently, I've discovered that coverage of the Cardinals by the state's major newspaper is lukewarm at best. I came here from Green Bay, where we (I'm a sports writer) published at least 25 articles a week on the Packers, including eight, sometimes more, every Monday.

My thought is that with Dennis Green coming aboard, interest in the Cards is likely going to pick up. I'd like to meet the demand by starting some form of a magazine devoted to the Cardinals. I've got two main ideas - either a weekly print magazine that could be sold to subscribers and on newsstands, or a twice-a-week newsletter delivered either online or via fax to subscribers.

I've got four years of experience covering the NFL, so I know I can provide good content. I've just got to decide whether I have a willing market before I invest my cash and make a go of it.

Basically, I just want to see what the interest level might be for some of you diehards out there. Any suggestions, please respond and feel free to e-mail.

Take it easy and Go Cards!

 

[ajcardfan]

Well, you'd certainly be getting in on the ground floor. The Cardinals put out a monthly mag, but it's just a repackaging of stories off of their website.

I read anything I can get my hands on about the Cardinals, so I wish you luck.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Welcome newbie to the insanity we call The Offseason Part XVIII

Ill take a Saki Bomber and a Steak MR w/ mushrooms

I have wondered why the Cards have not put out a magazine like the Dbacks or the Suns have.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Originally posted by ajcardfan
The Cardinals put out a monthly mag, but it's just a repackaging of stories off of their website.

Can you subscribe to it or is for season ticket holders?

 

[JeffGollin]

Scott - About 8 years ago, I broached this idea with members of the Cardinal PR Dept.

Just prior to then, the publisher of several NFL team magazines (all with essentially the same format) had sort of spec-published a Cardinal version, but it never really got off the ground.

It was their position at that time - that if I wanted to launch such an endeavor, I'd have to do it on my own - which would have meant (a) developing in advance, a base of advertisers and advance commitments to space so that I could (b) front the money necessary to get the magazine assembled and printed.

I realized early on that developing the required local advertiser-base would require some sort of local presence on my part. So I abandoned the project.

It could still work - so long as the people doing it understood that publishing a magazine is a business first and a "hobbie" second. They'd have to realize that ad-revenue is what drives the magazine. And, although great editorial helps build circulation which in turn can build advertising revenue, you still need at least a few aggressive people on staff who can go out and sell.

Willing to do that?

The alternative, of course, (something that magazine publishers are beginning to realize with growing alarm) is to utilize the world wide web as the distribution vehicle of what essentially is an "electronic magazine" (that incidently is far cheaper to produce - and needs little if any ad revenue to survive).

Note - The baseball Cardinals do both - they have a kickass website and also regulary publish a really good fans magazine chock full of advertising. If you're serious about publishing a printed magazine, you should check out the StL Cardinal "Gameday" Magazine as a "model" for how it should be done.

Oh yeah, newbies buy. I just ate; so a nice cup of Jamaican Blue Mt. Roast coffee (milk no sugar) and a Crispy Creme donut would be quite tasty, please.

 

[ajcardfan]

Originally posted by CatBoxBackFan
Can you subscribe to it or is for season ticket holders?

I'm not sure about that. Maybe someone else knows. I'm a season ticket holder. But really, if you just check the front page of the official website about every other day, you won't miss a single story. The main benefit are it has more pics and it's just cool to get something in your mailbox with Cardinals football on the cover.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
Note - The baseball Cardinals do both - they have a kickass website and also regulary publish a really good fans magazine chock full of advertising. If you're serious about publishing a printed magazine, you should check out the StL Cardinal "Gameday" Magazine as a "model" for how it should be done.

As do the Diamondbacks,check it out to get a local flavor

 

[Krangodnzr]

I know that I would subscribe....there are quite a few members on here who would...

 

[Ryanwb]

I'd hit that

 

[AzWins23]

I would love to get something like that!

 

[arthurracoon]

WELCOME!!!

 

[Stronso]

Yes, I would buy as well! My preference actually would be for an electronic/internet version - but that is just me

BTW - I will have the fried chicken and mashed potatos and peach cobbler for dessert. They have to be from Cornbread Cafe in Brooklyn - NO SUBSTITUTES!!!

And a Fresca

 

[Shane]

I would subscirbe!

 

[WisconsinCard]

Originally posted by Ryanwb
I'd hit that

DITTO.... and I'll have a jack on the rocks and a T-Bone. Back on the Atkins.

 

[Redrage]

You print it, I'll buy it.

I'll take a Chile Relleno plate and a Tecate.

 

[Red Air Force]

Originally posted by Redrage
You print it, I'll buy it.

Yup

I'll take a large pepperoni sausage and jalapeno pizza, and an Amstel Light

 

[jf-08]

I probably wouldn't buy - I can get my fix from free sources elsewhere.

And I'll have some Red Stripes and a tray of garlic shrimp.

It's warm here today, reminds me of a cool summer morning in Bermuda.

 

[Pariah]

I'd probably subscripe, but would prefer a weekly newpaper publication in the vein of "the Bear Report" and the like.

 

[SECTION 11]

mind reader. i've been thinking about this for a while.
the steeler report is pretty nice.

 

[jf-08]

Originally posted by SECTION 11
mind reader. i've been thinking about this for a while.
the steeler report is pretty nice.

Maybe I just haven't seen any of these. Does someone have a link to such a rag?

 

[birdie]

I think it's a great idea! Personally I like magazine's - I'm a magazine junkie and sometimes need a break from the computer screen as well. I like the pictures and the articles. It could be a great avenue to make the community more aware of the team and its presence in Arizona. I think someone who's not all into the Cardinals may be a little more apt to pick up a magazine they see laying around on someone's coffee table or waiting room table then they would be to scour the internet to find out what's going on with the team. It's frustrating to talk to people on a daily basis and see how in tune they are with the Diamnodbacks and could really careless about the Cardinals...don't get me wrong I like the Diamondbacks...but why? I know it's very important to win...Footbal is a great sport and we're damn lucky to have a professional football team here...not to mention with a new coach, new hope and a new kick arse stadium on the way. Hell - I'll help you solicit advertisers for the mag.

 

[dylanbw]

Out of Town

...us out of town fans LOVE any informtion we can get. The aforementioned Steelers and Bears reports (I believe they are available in print only) are excellent. I have not personally seen them in the past few years, but I imagine they are still in print. Count me in; the more info on the mid-late round draft picks and UFA the better!

While it is nice to read a hard copy magazine or newspaper, the immediacy of the Internet is probably the way to go in my opinion. And as Jeff G. mentioned, much less expensive for a start-up venture.

Good luck!

Dylan

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by Stronso
Yes, I would buy as well! My preference actually would be for an electronic/internet version - but that is just me

BTW - I will have the fried chicken and mashed potatos and peach cobbler for dessert. They have to be from Cornbread Cafe in Brooklyn - NO SUBSTITUTES!!!

And a Fresca

Fried chicken from New York! THE HORROR!

 

[denverbirdfan]

i'd buy it! the internet is nice, but you can't take a laptop into the can with ease.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Originally posted by denverbirdfan
i'd buy it! the internet is nice, but you can't take a laptop into the can with ease.

WiFi card and a router,Im outside at this moment enjoying the cool air and surfing the net anyone within 250 ft can use it if they have a WiFi card. Havent tried the can yet,might need to build a shelf and put in a padded seat