Removing The Paywall & New Ways To Support This Site
Removing The Paywall & New Ways To Support This Site
Important announcement regarding the website and the way we were doing things...
Hello, Steele Sports Bar Patrons!
I just wanted to jump on and update you on a big change I’ve introduced to the site over the last few days.
As you may have seen at the bottom of any recent article, I’ve taken the decision to remove the paywall from all articles on The Steele Sports Bar.
Going forward - at least for the foreseeable - there will no longer be a paywall on any piece of content we produce here.
You WON’T have to pay for anything you read or listen to from here on out.
Now, you may be wondering why I’ve made the decision to make everything free, why the ‘upgrade to paid’ button will still be seen on all articles and how you can support the website and the newsletter now and moving forward.
Allow me to give you the answers to all those questions below…
Why I’ve Removed All Paywalls
I love this website deeply. I also think this website and newsletter can grow and grow into something truly special.
I also spend every waking hour thinking about how I can make the site better for you, my loyal readers and subscribers.
Well, one thing I’ve constantly thought about is the paywall and the best way to encourage people to support the growth of the site.
In truth, I think it is hard to ask people to pay for content in the modern era of the internet. Times are hard for everybody. Plus, there are so many sites and blogs out there offering similar kind of content. And, with a plethora of different streaming services and sports sites like The Athletic and Sports Illustrated, who charge for certain content, I get a line has to be drawn somewhere as it pertains to what you choose to pay for and what you don’t.
And, while I work behind the scenes on setting things up to allow me to go out and bring you content you won’t find anywhere else, I just came to the conclusion that putting a paywall on a certain amount of articles a week was wrong.
It just didn’t feel right.
The fact that so many of you choose to support my work is humbling enough, so I would never want to throw that support back in your face by denying you access to certain content. Especially because I more than understand that some of you would love to have a paid subscription, but just may not be able to at this given moment.
Your support means the world to me and always will. Therefore, I want you to have free access to everything I do. And I want that to be the case for a long, long time.
So, again, the paywall is now gone. However, there are ways you can still support the future growth of this site…
How To Support The Site
As I’ve said many times before, I want to make this website one of the biggest destinations for sports fans on the internet.
I’ve always believed in reaching for the stars.
I have very high hopes for this site and for this newsletter but, in order to accomplish some of the goals I have lined up, financial support will be imperative.
I do have to eat too.
And, in order to keep this website the main thing, I will need to rely on the generosity of others as much as possible.
Therefore, you will continue to see the below button on every post. While all content will remain ABSOLUTELY FREE, I would love if you were able to still become a paid subscriber.
That way, you will be supporting the growth of this site directly. You will be allowing me to focus on making this THE go-to site for all sports fans. And you will also enable me to be able to travel across America and deliver you inside coverage from all 30 MLB franchises. Your support will allow me to be on the road and will give me the tools needed to bring you the best possible coverage of the sport you love.
You will benefit too.
Plus, if you upgrade to a paid subscription, you will have the opportunity to pitch me an idea to make parting with your hard-earned dollars well worth it. For instance, if you upgrade to a paid subscription, you could choose to come on The Andrew Steele Podcast with me to talk about your favorite team / player / sport / sports topic. You could also choose to chat with me through the Substack app, send me in questions for a guest on the pod or tell me what you want me to write that week.
The choice would be yours!
Also, if there is someone you know who would love to support the site, but maybe can’t due to differing circumstances, you can donate a subscription by clicking the button below:
Other Ways To Support
In addition to upgrading to a paid subscription if you can, there are a couple of other ways to support my work too.
I’m in the process of setting up a YouTube page for the site, and I’ll be posting exclusive clips and shorts on both YouTube and Patreon.
Again, any money kindly donated will go directly back into the site and will allow me to focus on the website as the main gig going forward.
I’m looking to get to as many ballparks as possible this year in order to produce columns based on actual reporting, as well as interviews and features. In order to be able to travel across the country, I will need help when it comes to things like travel and expenses. Your generous support will help in that department.
There are no adverts on this site. It is also just me. There are no shady figures lurking in the background. So you can be rest assured that your money will be in safe hands and will be put to extremely good use.
Your support and generosity will help this site continue to grow and go from strength-to-strength.
So, to conclude, from today onwards you won’t have to worry about not being able to read an article on this site because it is behind a paywall. Every single thing we do will be free BUT, if you can find a way to support the site financially, it would go an awful long way.
Thank you.
Andrew Steele,
Founder of The Steele Sports Bar