The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Allen is certainly not “Hiding” behind a paywall.

1. His company created the paywall, not him. He has no choice in the matter.

2. Digital subscriptions are a significant part of news organizations’ revenue today. They help pay the salary of Allen and his fellow reporters. Should they work for free? They’re paid ridiculously little anyway.

3. Advertising, which once made up more than three-quarters of a newspaper’s revenue, is down more tha 60% over the last 20 years. All those dollars have gone to Facebook and Google ads. So newspapers have cut staff. The R-C (and the Beacon and most community newspapers) have a third the number of reporters they once did. And many of those reporters haven't gotten raises in years.

Not only have newspapers lost advertising revenue, but they have lost it to sensational sources (viral YouTube videos or opinion pieces masquerading as ‘news’ stories). I dare say there just isn’t much an audience for unbiased content that lacks the ability to ‘excite’ the reader. Capitalism, I guess.

I considered going into journalism briefly when I came to Kent thirty years ago and didn’t (in part because it was awfully hard to make a living). That was thirty years ago. It’s gotten much much worse. I would pay for good Kent content, but I don’t think I would pay enough, nor is there a large enough audience for whomever would provide the content to make a living.

I was hoping that Kent State would take that in house when they hired David Carducci, but that never quite happened.

Ironically with all the crap on the internet a newspaper reporter or a TV commentator has to be terribly careful or they get fired. For example half the people on this board thought the video was no big deal. I wonder if Moff could have written that opinion without being edited or even worse being suspended or fired. I watch ESPN advertising the womens NCAA tournament as being exciting because of all the upsets and the parity. I’m pretty sure the data don’t support that but I’m pretty sure the commentator that would bring that up would no longer be a commentator at least on ESPN. In addition, I bet you would be hard pressed to find the record of each seed in the womens NCAA on the internet (I don’t know that just guessing from some of my previous searches on hot button topics).

(03-17-2022 10:41 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(03-17-2022 10:37 AM)dannyb73 Wrote:  

(03-17-2022 09:03 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(03-16-2022 10:10 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  And what is our lazy ass AD doing? I can tell you he isn't doing anything productive.

He’s probably on Twitter as he seems to have become the Tweeter-in-Charge, so I’m guessing he probably runs his department by email too. Being the face of the department shouldn’t mean you sit on the couch and tweet out like a cheerleader piggybacking any other tweet about something going on.

It's bad. So disappointed. I know I was in the minority of guys who supported and liked Joel, but I feel like we got worse in this trade. RR may be better inside the halls of the MAC Center, but we don't know that. He certainly hasn't made many friends or reached out to anyone I know.

True, and for a guy still settling into his position I guess I expected so much more as it’s been underwhelming so far. I’ve said it before, but I’m sure in the interview process he had to lay out his vision, so for whatever it was it certainly couldn’t have been what we’re seeing. And if it is, I’m wondering just how much less he’ll do once he’s fully settled into his gig.

He’s probably well liked by his employees though.

(03-17-2022 03:15 PM)burden Wrote:  Ironically with all the crap on the internet a newspaper reporter or a TV commentator has to be terribly careful or they get fired. For example half the people on this board thought the video was no big deal. I wonder if Moff could have written that opinion without being edited or even worse being suspended or fired. I watch ESPN advertising the womens NCAA tournament as being exciting because of all the upsets and the parity. I’m pretty sure the data don’t support that but I’m pretty sure the commentator that would bring that up would no longer be a commentator at least on ESPN. In addition, I bet you would be hard pressed to find the record of each seed in the womens NCAA on the internet (I don’t know that just guessing from some of my previous searches on hot button topics).

I did find the data. On the womens side seeds 14 through 16 are 1-324, the men are 32-400. Seeds 11-13 women 84-324, men 136-304.


Of course #12 Florida Gulf Coast won a game today.

(03-17-2022 01:30 PM)cschierh Wrote:  Allen is certainly not “Hiding” behind a paywall.

1. His company created the paywall, not him. He has no choice in the matter.

2. Digital subscriptions are a significant part of news organizations’ revenue today. They help pay the salary of Allen and his fellow reporters. Should they work for free? They’re paid ridiculously little anyway.

3. Advertising, which once made up more than three-quarters of a newspaper’s revenue, is down more tha 60% over the last 20 years. All those dollars have gone to Facebook and Google ads. So newspapers have cut staff. The R-C (and the Beacon and most community newspapers) have a third the number of reporters they once did. And many of those reporters haven't gotten raises in years.

When I say "hiding behind a paywall" I am talking about his trash reporting. There is nothing to pay for. He doesn't report anything that most of us don't already know. So why pay for it? Yes, I pay for other sites. ESPN.COM or The Athletic. Even the WSJ. If there was some meat on the bone, I and many others would pay for the content and it would boost their revenue and his salary.

The Record-Courier is nothing more than an extension of the Kent State web site and it’s been that way for quite some time.

An extension of the OSU web site

(03-18-2022 12:27 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  An extension of the OSU web site

I doubt any Ohio State fan uses the Record Courier as their main source of Buckeye news.

Yes but they cover OSU more than Kent State.

(03-18-2022 08:33 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Yes but they cover OSU more than Kent State.

Probably get more clicks on those articles. We all agree Kent does a bad job marketing their product. That’s why these things happen. It’s not the Record Couriers fault it’s the Universities. Heck they cover the high schools more than they cover Kent. Reading about and going to the game are too different things. Nobody would read about the Kent gymnastics team yet 1000 to 1500 fans show up. They have a pink meet and get their biggest crowd. They auction off stuff to make money for the cause. They bring in a former Kent gymnast who is now a doctor in the field to talk to the crowd briefly. They honor some cancer survivors etc etc. The basketball teams don’t seem to do anything like that. They just go through the motions. Do we ever promote we are Division I in athletics? Do we ever advertise a game on radio on the sports stations? There is never going to be more interest in Kent sports over Ohio St. sports. The advantage we have in Portage and some of Summit county is nobody is driving to Columbus to watch Ohio St. Maybe you can get them to come to Kent. Too much woe is me on this board. It’s Kent St. Athletics fault we don’t promote the teams more. Not the newspapers, not the radio stations, not Ohio St bias, not the lack of money, not TV (well maybe a little bit of TV, but they even hurt the P5 schools). There I’m done.

Your points are valid. But I do not think it’s a woe is me attitude.

I think it’s frustration that a state school is infused with millions of dollars of taxpayer and student moneys and that money seems to be wasted on exorbitant contracts for do-nothing administrators, under-achieving coaches and senseless cross-country road trips.

It is not woe is me for us to demand better.

Maybe not the right words and I agree with you that the criticism against Kent management is valid. No problem with that. Don’t always agree with it but that is where the criticism should be directed. I just have seen a lot of posts over the years that seem to blame outside sources. Heck I’m sure I posted some of them. I just finally had enough. I particularly find the Ohio St. bias to be a little off base. If you were a newspaper, you would be incompetent if you would not cover OSU and pro sports more than Kent even in Portage County. It’s not like Kent State can pick up and move in protest.

The Ohio State thing is maddening because eight out of 10 Kent State graduates would rather sit their ass at home and watch OSU on a Saturday as opposed to driving 20 minutes and paying $5 to see their alma mater play in person. They’ll spend hundreds to watch Edelman and Cribbs on Sundays but couldn’t be bothered to come watch those same players for free when they were at Kent.

You are never going to win that fight. So there’s no use trying. But there are a few little things you can do. Under previous leadership we used to set our kickoffs as far away from OSUs as possible. I’m also of the belief we should not schedule them in any sport, home or away. They are pests and pests are best left ignored.

I don't understand why there isn't a weekly coaches segment on 92.3 the fan. 20 minutes a week to talk about upcoming games or big victories. It would fit in nicely with Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin who are both Kent alumni.

And I always say we have a university that teaches these kids how to have a career in business, marketing, design etc. yet can’t even promote our own product. Tap into the minds of the professors, open up better internships for the students who know how to use social media to promote better than what we currently see. As time goes on the interest in any of our squads has faded and not brought in new despite the thought that with every flip of the calendar should be bringing new graduates and more interest. The Elite Eight squad, College World Series and other great squads that should’ve generated extra eyes have come and gone and no longer marketable; opportunities now long gone. Over the years the dedicated folks working in the department have moved on and the new faces in their positions haven’t really brought fresh new ideas or ways of expanding the reach. School pride keeps me connected, nothing more.

(03-19-2022 02:50 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote:  I don't understand why there isn't a weekly coaches segment on 92.3 the fan. 20 minutes a week to talk about upcoming games or big victories. It would fit in nicely with Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin who are both Kent alumni.

I agree. They have the Cleveland St. coach on occasionally (Who is rumored to be in line for the Missouri job). Why not Kent and even Akron just as often if not more. There again they are even scared to talk Guardians and Cavs because talking Browns seems to be the only thing the fans want.

(03-19-2022 02:28 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  The Ohio State thing is maddening because eight out of 10 Kent State graduates would rather sit their ass at home and watch OSU on a Saturday as opposed to driving 20 minutes and paying $5 to see their alma mater play in person. They’ll spend hundreds to watch Edelman and Cribbs on Sundays but couldn’t be bothered to come watch those same players for free when they were at Kent.

You are never going to win that fight. So there’s no use trying. But there are a few little things you can do. Under previous leadership we used to set our kickoffs as far away from OSUs as possible. I’m also of the belief we should not schedule them in any sport, home or away. They are pests and pests are best left ignored.

I agree competing with Ohio St. on football is a waste of time. Hence the MAC plays on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Even if we maintain our current level of football it will still be a struggle. My comments are directed towards basketball for the most part.

(03-19-2022 02:50 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote:  I don't understand why there isn't a weekly coaches segment on 92.3 the fan. 20 minutes a week to talk about upcoming games or big victories. It would fit in nicely with Jeff Phelps and Andy Baskin who are both Kent alumni.

The more I think about this the more I like it. The MAC offices are in Cleveland why not have them on more than just the week of the MAC Tournament. Talk mainly football and basketball but mix in some other sports. If the gymnastics team can draw 1000 to 1500 you would think so could women’s basketball. Mens basketball 4000?? I think this is a critical year coming up. I went to 35 events a year until COVID. This year I only went to 8 or so. Yes some had to do with COVID but to be honest that was a good excuse at times. The enthusiasm dwindled after a year off. We need a kick start next year or that will become a dangerous trend. I’m a good fan. I wonder if we will ever see the once in awhile fan again if we don’t do something.

burden,
Your sentiments are mine almost exactly. However, I did attend most home games and did some traveling. (Not that that's required of anyone to be a fan.) Again I'll point to Friday and Saturday night in Cleveland. Toledo, OU, Akron all had fan bases that not only showed up big, but their fans were well-rehearsed. Those teams sent big crowds to the MACC this year, including Akron who was on Christmas break like we were. You can tell fans were showing up to their games, and learning the cheers. More than the 2- or 3-syllable cheers that are mundane.
The MAC and Kent State need to get people to the games. No matter what. A recruit watching a game from the MACC is going to base a lot of what he sees. Especially if he visits another MAC school. It hit home that Cary came here because he felt we were the underdog. While I appreciate his willingness, that's a shame that was the reason.
How many people in Cleveland know that the MAC is centered here? How many alumni does Kent and Akron have in Cuyahoga County that "had something better to do" last weekend? I'm not saying people don't have priorities, but I know many alumni in Cleveland who didn't show up.
I guess what I'm saying to the ivory tower is GET PEOPLE TO THE GAMES, GET PEOPLE TO THE GAMES, GET PEOPLE TO THE GAMES.