That's where you, the readers, come in. First, I'll lower the price until Aug. 31, then I want your feedback on what I should be doing different with this site.
I've been following you since you were at the Indy Star. I read your columns, even if I didn't know anything about the subject. You could have written about the Soap Box Derby and I would have read it. I subscribed to The Athletic mainly because of you. I followed you here. You're humorous, knowledgeable and honest and I still look forward to every article.
I initially joined your substack because you were really screwed by The Athletic and it was done when it would be hard to find a place to land. There was a time when I did not like Bob Kravitz. Just ask my brother-in-law Rod Draving. But at the same time, you have always been honest with your thoughts. I graduated from IU in 1975 and was and still a big IU fan. I was also a big Bob Hammel fan. You were one of the first to challenge Bob Knight. And while I think that he was a great coach, he was also a very complicated man that had many demons. So that is the background that formed my opinions. However, you have always been an excellent writer. So I joined to help you out and looked forward to your columns. Fast forward to today, I look forward to your articles and in fact think you better today than ever before. Maybe it is being your own editor. I don't know why or how, but you are doing so well and it is well deserved. You tell it as you see it and I really enjoy it. I look forward to being a subscriber for years to come. Don't change a thing and I am so glad that you took on this assignment.
I’m happy to re-up for another year. If you can increase the frequency a bit, that would be great. But I know that frequency and quality sometimes compete with each other.
Two suggestions: I would love to see even more Pacers coverage, and especially, analysis. Scott Agness takes his readers behind the scenes in a unique way, but it’s more observational than analytical.
I think the Pacers are going somewhere special. I’d encourage you to be their premier chronicler in the years to come. Write your articles now so that they’re easy to convert into a book down the road. (When the Star posts their game stories within fifteen minutes after the final horn, you know you’re not getting anything serious.)
Also, and I am not sure what all this means, but mix in some perspective of an elder statesman across many sports. You have the years and experience. Your recent, restrained, and courageous resistance to the racist intimidation in the Caitlin Clark coverage comes to mind. That was great work and a perspective that needs amplified.
I’ll stop here. But I, and many others apparently, will eagerly read all that you are able to post.
Bob, Long long (really longtime) follower. First I see no reason for you to discount your work. My subscription is due 7/18 and please leave it at the 70 buck level-- which is more than reasonable IMO. Now having said that I have been somewhat disappointed in the number of pieces you do. I use Scott Agness (Fieldhouse Files) in comparison. I get something from him almost daily. Plus he incorporates pictures -- as he has done this week from Las Vegas. I think he treats it as a full time job. So in all honesty I would hope you work a bit harder at this and produce more. Look I'll stay around and pay if I only hear from you once a month --- but Im thinking that if Agness gets to me daily maybe Bob can get to me at least twice a week or more. Lastly -- damn glad you are doing this!!
Bob, I have always loved your writing. I am thankful for an opportunity to read it without having to give money to The NY Times/Athletic. Blog-ish is ok sometimes, but don’t totally give up on the more traditionally journalistic style that you are so good at! I would be remiss not to mention that I would like a bit more frequency and timeliness with your articles. I always appreciate your perspective and frequently agree with you, and sometimes I’m looking to see what your perspective is on something closer to when it happens as I’m trying to sort through something controversial, as an example. This may be totally unrealistic, but for example, I’m not on twitter, but I would find myself looking at your public twitter feed during a game and wondering what you thought about something (like “Lebron just took 5 steps and didn’t get called for traveling” or the Colt that just tackled a guy 2 yards out of bounds that gave the opponent a first down could be the kind of thing that costs them a game). I don’t know if this venue is appropriate for that type of thing or not, but I’d like to see that level of immediacy in addition to a “column” with the columns being a bit more frequent and immediate. Regardless, keep up the good work, sir and blessings to you!!
I agree with most of what has been said. Write in your style - that's why we are here in the first place. If I wanted what currently passes for "journalism", I'd be there instead of here. (wink) I agree I would read as much as you would write. Sometimes I am not into the subject but I read to see what you have to say. I like things along the lines of the Dopey Report Card - love to see that sort of thing with other sports but in their own way. Example - your take on the soccer (football everywhere else) regarding this penalty and then this play - not deep cuts but more dry wit if you aren't really a fan. Hope that makes sense. I would enjoy a podcast because I listen to things a lot as I go through my day.
Bob - Followed you at the Star since 2000 (I think), to WTHR, The Athletic, and now here. So bottom line, I am happy to read as much as you are willing to write. With articles, I can at least read it in chunks if I get interrupted and don't have to wear earbuds or worry about someone else hearing my noise. Also, like another person commented, your writing style and level of humor consistently connects with me, even if I may not 100% agree with all of your takes. So I'm on board for definitely anything Indiana-based [i.e. pro, college, even HS] in addition to any other national stories you might want to chime in on. Heck, I'd probably even read about your ventures in berating a cumulus.
Podcasts aren't my thing as I don't have extended time to simply sit and listen. Although I did enjoy your ventures with Pat doing his show back in the Broad Ripple days (and maybe even on WTHR if I recall).
Through no fault of yours, I thought that when I joined Substack, in order to read your articles, I would also have access to ALL of the authors on Substack, but my joining would be credited to you, i.e., kind of like a commission. I was wrong. Not the end of the world, but disappointing, as I like Scott Agness a lot, but can’t afford to join everyone’s account. Anyway, I’d like to see you write more articles. I don’t expect you to crank ‘em out like the meat grinder of your Star days, but, well, just more. I think it would be interesting to read more stories of famous athletes and others, whom you have met, in the course of your 40 + years of doing this. If you’re ever struggling for a topic, tell us a story from your past. I’ve rambled enough. I still enjoy your style, content, and honesty.
Bob, I’ve enjoyed my subscription since I found you last fall. I moved away from central Indiana a few years ago and had to do some searching to find you. Glad I did. (I just moved back last month!) Here are my thoughts;
1. The Athletic is a perfect example of what not to do. That rag has become completely unreadable. If not for Marcus Thompson II I would have already canceled my subscription.
2. Stay honest and candid. We don’t need cheerleaders unless it’s warranted. (Pacers this year) and we don’t need columns ripping teams for moves they supported 3 months earlier.
3. Spell check and proof. Us old guys aren’t accustomed to this “new world.”
4. More Pacers. More Caitlin and Fever. Less Colts unless they do something.
5. Cadence. This is a big one for me. Maybe pick 3 days a week to always publish (or almost). Add in special events and huge moves when necessary.
6. I’m happy to partner with you on a Podcast. I’m certain there is a huge audience for two guys in their 60’s opining on the feats of 20 somethings! Actually, a Podcast would be great.
7. Lastly, what are the odds of you teaming up with 5-10 other Substack authors, maybe all sports, maybe Sports and culture, maybe something else, to drive added subscribers for all of you. I don’t know how that would work, but as someone who spends hundreds of dollars annually on single subscriptions, I would jump at the opportunity.
Bob - like many here I followed you from the Star, to The Athletic to here - I enjoy your writing and often share your perspective on things. I think the price is fair for me either way. My hope is that the price is fair for you and will allow you to continue to make your writing available. As far as frequency of articles or breadth of subjects I think you are right on the sweet spot.
As the NFL season unfolds - and you follow the Colts per usual - if perchance the Patriots happen to be doing badly - were you to do a piece about their poor season, mishaps and foibles I would enjoy it!
Bob-- I've been following you since the earliest Star days. I delivered the Star & News as a kid back in 1979-1982. With all of the tremendous sportswriters over the years, you and Bill Benner were always my favorites. I subscribed immediately when I found out about your articles. Most journalism today is lousy-- loaded with headlines that tell you nothing about the article-- and then paragraphs of poor-grammar jibberish to get the meat of the article-- all in attempt to get me, the reader, to "spend more time with the article" to increase electronic ad click revenue. Your articles are always fresh in perspective, candid, honest, and conveyed in an easy-to-understand, straightforward way. I am a busy working man and don't have time to read as much as I'd like. But I definitely look forward to reading your articles every day. That said, please don't change your style or approach. I would like to see: articles at least 6 days a week (everyone deserves a day off); more articles on the Colts (even in the off-season there is the possibility to interview or dig deeper into individual players - heck, if you did an in-depth article on 1 starter a week-- you'd have 22+ weeks of good writing); occasional articles on the MLB baseball trifecta of teams that seem to dominate Indy metro: Red, Cubs, and Cards; occasional articles on the Indy Fuel and progress of players toward the NHL-- I love to go to Fuel games--but hard to get to know the player development. Like you, I went to Indiana University. So, during the off-season, I would love some check-ins on what Curt Cignetti is accomplishing with signing players and assembling a staff and love to know more about what Mike Woodson is or isn't doing to elevate IU basketball -- even in the off-season. All college and pro sports anymore are 365-day-a-year enterprises with recruiting, trading, player development, drafting, practicing, coaching staff adjustments, and so on. Thanks for what you bring to the professional sports media world and customers like me who are just looking for a temporary escape from politics, talking-head fake news, work, etc. and just have relaxing fun being entertained by reading sports articles. God bless you with Peace & Goodness!
Bob - long term reader Of yours at the Star, Athletic and TV station who has lived in Cincy for 14 years. I have also been a loyal reader of Paul Daughterty who was your counterpart at the Enquirer.
He used to write regular columns but his most successful venture was a four day per week blog called The Morning Line or TML, which is now on Substack.
TML covers sports but also music, culture, books, TV shows, movies and politics. We have a sizeable group of people who read and comment nearly every day. We call it an online sports bar where nothing is off limits.
He hates Trump and writes frequently about his disdain for him and the GOP under the moniker of “Stick to Sports”. I would not recommend this if you decided to start a blog because, with all due respect, you’re center left and the majority of your readers are center right or right. The rhetoric gets HOT over politics at TML.
Outside of the occasional annoyance of his personal feelings that I disagree with, TML is a success. I look forward to it every day. Highly recommend checking it out.
I've read you since you first came to the Star. I didn't necessarily like you at first, but I'm older now and I realize that I don't have to agree with you to enjoy reading your stories. I subscribed to the Athletic around the time some other IndyStar guys went there because I thought it was great to not only continue reading them but also access to other writers I liked like from SI or in other markets, and I was glad to keep reading you both at the Athletic and WTHR. But when the Athletic essentially stopped covering Indiana sports and my favorite writers were either let go or reassigned, I canceled my $70/year subscription. I was glad to see you're still writing, but I couldn't wrap my mind around canceling a $70/year subscription with access to a variety of writers and markets and starting a $70/year subscription for just one writer. I'm still an IndyStar subscriber, but reading their current sports columnist hasn't felt right for a few months. I appreciate you lowering the price to $50/year and the timing is right because the start of football season is when I get the itch to start reading sports again.
I was a fan when you were with The Indy Star and was happy to find you here. Ego in any form causes my eyes to roll but a columnist that feels the need to show everyone how clever he is ruins my morning (Looking at you, Doyle). I like your sense of humor, modesty and the insight you provide—all the things I look for in a columnist. I could read two articles per week if you have the content in you, and I think you do. Frankly anything with a sports angle interests me. I’m surprised with your love of hockey you aren’t writing about the Indy Fuel: A new arena coming to Fishers, you could introduce them to new fans. If you’ve already written about them lately, don’t scold me; but send me a link. (Morning paper is a habit, I’m slowly creating a Substack habit.)
I've always enjoyed your columns. It was always the first thing I looked for in the Indianapolis Star, especially after a Colts game. And then I always enjoyed your articles in the Athletic as well. Now I'm glad you are on your own. Just continue to be real and honest and tell it like you see it. I'll continue to follow with interest.
I've been following you since you were at the Indy Star. I read your columns, even if I didn't know anything about the subject. You could have written about the Soap Box Derby and I would have read it. I subscribed to The Athletic mainly because of you. I followed you here. You're humorous, knowledgeable and honest and I still look forward to every article.
Appreciate it.
I initially joined your substack because you were really screwed by The Athletic and it was done when it would be hard to find a place to land. There was a time when I did not like Bob Kravitz. Just ask my brother-in-law Rod Draving. But at the same time, you have always been honest with your thoughts. I graduated from IU in 1975 and was and still a big IU fan. I was also a big Bob Hammel fan. You were one of the first to challenge Bob Knight. And while I think that he was a great coach, he was also a very complicated man that had many demons. So that is the background that formed my opinions. However, you have always been an excellent writer. So I joined to help you out and looked forward to your columns. Fast forward to today, I look forward to your articles and in fact think you better today than ever before. Maybe it is being your own editor. I don't know why or how, but you are doing so well and it is well deserved. You tell it as you see it and I really enjoy it. I look forward to being a subscriber for years to come. Don't change a thing and I am so glad that you took on this assignment.
Wow. Thanks so much, Dave.
I’m happy to re-up for another year. If you can increase the frequency a bit, that would be great. But I know that frequency and quality sometimes compete with each other.
Two suggestions: I would love to see even more Pacers coverage, and especially, analysis. Scott Agness takes his readers behind the scenes in a unique way, but it’s more observational than analytical.
I think the Pacers are going somewhere special. I’d encourage you to be their premier chronicler in the years to come. Write your articles now so that they’re easy to convert into a book down the road. (When the Star posts their game stories within fifteen minutes after the final horn, you know you’re not getting anything serious.)
Also, and I am not sure what all this means, but mix in some perspective of an elder statesman across many sports. You have the years and experience. Your recent, restrained, and courageous resistance to the racist intimidation in the Caitlin Clark coverage comes to mind. That was great work and a perspective that needs amplified.
I’ll stop here. But I, and many others apparently, will eagerly read all that you are able to post.
Great feedback.
Bob, Long long (really longtime) follower. First I see no reason for you to discount your work. My subscription is due 7/18 and please leave it at the 70 buck level-- which is more than reasonable IMO. Now having said that I have been somewhat disappointed in the number of pieces you do. I use Scott Agness (Fieldhouse Files) in comparison. I get something from him almost daily. Plus he incorporates pictures -- as he has done this week from Las Vegas. I think he treats it as a full time job. So in all honesty I would hope you work a bit harder at this and produce more. Look I'll stay around and pay if I only hear from you once a month --- but Im thinking that if Agness gets to me daily maybe Bob can get to me at least twice a week or more. Lastly -- damn glad you are doing this!!
I hear you loud and clear.
Bob, I have always loved your writing. I am thankful for an opportunity to read it without having to give money to The NY Times/Athletic. Blog-ish is ok sometimes, but don’t totally give up on the more traditionally journalistic style that you are so good at! I would be remiss not to mention that I would like a bit more frequency and timeliness with your articles. I always appreciate your perspective and frequently agree with you, and sometimes I’m looking to see what your perspective is on something closer to when it happens as I’m trying to sort through something controversial, as an example. This may be totally unrealistic, but for example, I’m not on twitter, but I would find myself looking at your public twitter feed during a game and wondering what you thought about something (like “Lebron just took 5 steps and didn’t get called for traveling” or the Colt that just tackled a guy 2 yards out of bounds that gave the opponent a first down could be the kind of thing that costs them a game). I don’t know if this venue is appropriate for that type of thing or not, but I’d like to see that level of immediacy in addition to a “column” with the columns being a bit more frequent and immediate. Regardless, keep up the good work, sir and blessings to you!!
Good points. I will definitely be more active and I think you’re right, I can increase the frequency and immediacy. Thanks for the feedback.
I agree with most of what has been said. Write in your style - that's why we are here in the first place. If I wanted what currently passes for "journalism", I'd be there instead of here. (wink) I agree I would read as much as you would write. Sometimes I am not into the subject but I read to see what you have to say. I like things along the lines of the Dopey Report Card - love to see that sort of thing with other sports but in their own way. Example - your take on the soccer (football everywhere else) regarding this penalty and then this play - not deep cuts but more dry wit if you aren't really a fan. Hope that makes sense. I would enjoy a podcast because I listen to things a lot as I go through my day.
Appreciate the feedback.
Bob - Followed you at the Star since 2000 (I think), to WTHR, The Athletic, and now here. So bottom line, I am happy to read as much as you are willing to write. With articles, I can at least read it in chunks if I get interrupted and don't have to wear earbuds or worry about someone else hearing my noise. Also, like another person commented, your writing style and level of humor consistently connects with me, even if I may not 100% agree with all of your takes. So I'm on board for definitely anything Indiana-based [i.e. pro, college, even HS] in addition to any other national stories you might want to chime in on. Heck, I'd probably even read about your ventures in berating a cumulus.
Podcasts aren't my thing as I don't have extended time to simply sit and listen. Although I did enjoy your ventures with Pat doing his show back in the Broad Ripple days (and maybe even on WTHR if I recall).
Thanks, Jason.
Through no fault of yours, I thought that when I joined Substack, in order to read your articles, I would also have access to ALL of the authors on Substack, but my joining would be credited to you, i.e., kind of like a commission. I was wrong. Not the end of the world, but disappointing, as I like Scott Agness a lot, but can’t afford to join everyone’s account. Anyway, I’d like to see you write more articles. I don’t expect you to crank ‘em out like the meat grinder of your Star days, but, well, just more. I think it would be interesting to read more stories of famous athletes and others, whom you have met, in the course of your 40 + years of doing this. If you’re ever struggling for a topic, tell us a story from your past. I’ve rambled enough. I still enjoy your style, content, and honesty.
Regards,
Kirk
Bob, I’ve enjoyed my subscription since I found you last fall. I moved away from central Indiana a few years ago and had to do some searching to find you. Glad I did. (I just moved back last month!) Here are my thoughts;
1. The Athletic is a perfect example of what not to do. That rag has become completely unreadable. If not for Marcus Thompson II I would have already canceled my subscription.
2. Stay honest and candid. We don’t need cheerleaders unless it’s warranted. (Pacers this year) and we don’t need columns ripping teams for moves they supported 3 months earlier.
3. Spell check and proof. Us old guys aren’t accustomed to this “new world.”
4. More Pacers. More Caitlin and Fever. Less Colts unless they do something.
5. Cadence. This is a big one for me. Maybe pick 3 days a week to always publish (or almost). Add in special events and huge moves when necessary.
6. I’m happy to partner with you on a Podcast. I’m certain there is a huge audience for two guys in their 60’s opining on the feats of 20 somethings! Actually, a Podcast would be great.
7. Lastly, what are the odds of you teaming up with 5-10 other Substack authors, maybe all sports, maybe Sports and culture, maybe something else, to drive added subscribers for all of you. I don’t know how that would work, but as someone who spends hundreds of dollars annually on single subscriptions, I would jump at the opportunity.
These are all awesome thoughts. Thank you. Very helpful.
Bob - like many here I followed you from the Star, to The Athletic to here - I enjoy your writing and often share your perspective on things. I think the price is fair for me either way. My hope is that the price is fair for you and will allow you to continue to make your writing available. As far as frequency of articles or breadth of subjects I think you are right on the sweet spot.
As the NFL season unfolds - and you follow the Colts per usual - if perchance the Patriots happen to be doing badly - were you to do a piece about their poor season, mishaps and foibles I would enjoy it!
Bob-- I've been following you since the earliest Star days. I delivered the Star & News as a kid back in 1979-1982. With all of the tremendous sportswriters over the years, you and Bill Benner were always my favorites. I subscribed immediately when I found out about your articles. Most journalism today is lousy-- loaded with headlines that tell you nothing about the article-- and then paragraphs of poor-grammar jibberish to get the meat of the article-- all in attempt to get me, the reader, to "spend more time with the article" to increase electronic ad click revenue. Your articles are always fresh in perspective, candid, honest, and conveyed in an easy-to-understand, straightforward way. I am a busy working man and don't have time to read as much as I'd like. But I definitely look forward to reading your articles every day. That said, please don't change your style or approach. I would like to see: articles at least 6 days a week (everyone deserves a day off); more articles on the Colts (even in the off-season there is the possibility to interview or dig deeper into individual players - heck, if you did an in-depth article on 1 starter a week-- you'd have 22+ weeks of good writing); occasional articles on the MLB baseball trifecta of teams that seem to dominate Indy metro: Red, Cubs, and Cards; occasional articles on the Indy Fuel and progress of players toward the NHL-- I love to go to Fuel games--but hard to get to know the player development. Like you, I went to Indiana University. So, during the off-season, I would love some check-ins on what Curt Cignetti is accomplishing with signing players and assembling a staff and love to know more about what Mike Woodson is or isn't doing to elevate IU basketball -- even in the off-season. All college and pro sports anymore are 365-day-a-year enterprises with recruiting, trading, player development, drafting, practicing, coaching staff adjustments, and so on. Thanks for what you bring to the professional sports media world and customers like me who are just looking for a temporary escape from politics, talking-head fake news, work, etc. and just have relaxing fun being entertained by reading sports articles. God bless you with Peace & Goodness!
Awesome feedback. Much appreciated.
Bob - long term reader Of yours at the Star, Athletic and TV station who has lived in Cincy for 14 years. I have also been a loyal reader of Paul Daughterty who was your counterpart at the Enquirer.
He used to write regular columns but his most successful venture was a four day per week blog called The Morning Line or TML, which is now on Substack.
TML covers sports but also music, culture, books, TV shows, movies and politics. We have a sizeable group of people who read and comment nearly every day. We call it an online sports bar where nothing is off limits.
He hates Trump and writes frequently about his disdain for him and the GOP under the moniker of “Stick to Sports”. I would not recommend this if you decided to start a blog because, with all due respect, you’re center left and the majority of your readers are center right or right. The rhetoric gets HOT over politics at TML.
Outside of the occasional annoyance of his personal feelings that I disagree with, TML is a success. I look forward to it every day. Highly recommend checking it out.
I will do that. I’m a big Doc fan. We’ve known each other for several decades.
Some IndyCar coverage would be cool also. Hometown sports league.
I've read you since you first came to the Star. I didn't necessarily like you at first, but I'm older now and I realize that I don't have to agree with you to enjoy reading your stories. I subscribed to the Athletic around the time some other IndyStar guys went there because I thought it was great to not only continue reading them but also access to other writers I liked like from SI or in other markets, and I was glad to keep reading you both at the Athletic and WTHR. But when the Athletic essentially stopped covering Indiana sports and my favorite writers were either let go or reassigned, I canceled my $70/year subscription. I was glad to see you're still writing, but I couldn't wrap my mind around canceling a $70/year subscription with access to a variety of writers and markets and starting a $70/year subscription for just one writer. I'm still an IndyStar subscriber, but reading their current sports columnist hasn't felt right for a few months. I appreciate you lowering the price to $50/year and the timing is right because the start of football season is when I get the itch to start reading sports again.
I was a fan when you were with The Indy Star and was happy to find you here. Ego in any form causes my eyes to roll but a columnist that feels the need to show everyone how clever he is ruins my morning (Looking at you, Doyle). I like your sense of humor, modesty and the insight you provide—all the things I look for in a columnist. I could read two articles per week if you have the content in you, and I think you do. Frankly anything with a sports angle interests me. I’m surprised with your love of hockey you aren’t writing about the Indy Fuel: A new arena coming to Fishers, you could introduce them to new fans. If you’ve already written about them lately, don’t scold me; but send me a link. (Morning paper is a habit, I’m slowly creating a Substack habit.)
I've always enjoyed your columns. It was always the first thing I looked for in the Indianapolis Star, especially after a Colts game. And then I always enjoyed your articles in the Athletic as well. Now I'm glad you are on your own. Just continue to be real and honest and tell it like you see it. I'll continue to follow with interest.
I thought there was fair value at 70 per year. No reason to change my mind. I like the look backs as much as the current event. Rock on.