Way back in 2009 the Seattle Sounders emailed a small, single-author blog and invited it to attend practice. This went well beyond expectations. Friends with baseball, football and basketball blogs were not allowed to attend practice as media. This decision helped fuel Sounder at Heart's growth.
Now, as more and more media are shutting down (Vice, DCist/WAMU this week) access for non-traditional media is more important than ever for MLS teams. Websites that grew out of newspapers have reduced their coverage of the league. The Athletic has an extreme focus on Inter Messi.
Fans of dozens of teams are mostly getting regular beat-style coverage of their teams via the team itself.
This leads to less discovery by new fans, fewer stories to fuel search engines and social algorithms and more marketing as journalism (which serves its purposes and paid my bills for 2019).
MLS teams don't lack for physical space. It's not like they're the NFL with full press boxes and dozens at every practice. Even with the very open Sounders, there are times when the independent media in attendance at practice is just one or two people.
When looking at the teams that fill stadiums they tend to have an active blogosphere (including social, podcasts, vlogs). There is a semi-virtuous cycle in coverage. The more popular the team is the more active these near-professional (and fully professional) projects can be.
Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle, Toronto have all shown how to capture a market through empowering others to tell the tales of their teams.
It's why Sounder at Heart exists, yes. Part of this call is selfish. It's part of the life Jeremiah and I have chosen.
But along with those stories about shuttering outlets are tales from established and fledgling journalists who are denied credentials or not even allowed to get access to training.
Open the doors to coverage. It's going to help long term.
– Dave
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Did you step away from the computer over the week? Here are our latest stories
Sounders v. LAFC (Fox/Free on MLS Season Pass at 1:45 pm PST)
- What you need to know ahead of Sounders' trip to LAFC
- Albert Rusnák among long list of injured Sounders
- Three Questions with Angels on Parade
- An insider's look at LAFC
- Sounders feel ready for regular-season opener vs. LAFC
Sounders season preview
- Everything you need to know to be ready for Sounders in 2024
- What we learned about Sounders during preseason
- Why the Sounders will lift trophies this year
- Seattle’s attacking ensemble cast
- Nos Audietis: Live with Wade Webber
- MLS tier rankings: Countdown to kickoff
- Understanding why MLS is using replacement refs
- Is the West as weak as everyone seems to think?
- 2024 MLS Fantasy Soccer: Sounders Preview and DGW 1
Reign
We’ll be hosting a watch party at Fast Fashion Brewing in SoDo on Saturday. Subscribers get a $1 discount on pints. It’s a really great space and is all ages.
Looking back at the week's news
Everything else you need to know.
Are we about to see fewer restrictions on MLS spending? Yahoo suggests that it's time to remove the training wheels. Apple TV's boss wants that. He wants more Messi (which isn't possible).
MLS gets the good kit talk. MLB does not.
Frei is expected to be in the Keeper of the Year conversation, while the Sounders are contenders for trophies. Plus, three Sounders among the best prospects in the league. Will Inter Messi be a bust? Can Crew go back-to-back? Pedro de la Vega makes the list as one of the league's newcomers to watch.
T-Mobile probably isn't giving people MLS Season Pass for free. Sounder at Heart does have an affiliate relationship with Apple TV for those that subscribe here.
Ben Wright reveals how MLS creates its schedule.
The Open Cup's future is tied to the European Super League.
Boston's NWSL team's planned stadium is getting pushback from environmental activists.
Canada XNT is taking legal action against the CSA for devaluing the Olympians.
Enjoying AFCON from the perspective of a Black American.
Do you think playing at a mile high is hard? How 'bout 2.5 miles?
Fubo v. ESPN/Warner/FOX could determine the future of not-cable.
Saudi Arabia continues to spend money using soccer for influence.
From NBA blogger to G League Head Coach.
What should a sports fan do when their team lets them down? | Aeon EssaysPlayers, coaches and team owners sometimes do terrible things. What, if anything, should their fans do about that?
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