$60 for Hockey News? $90 for Baseball America?

[Smasher_Sloan]

I got a direct mail pitch inviting me to subscribe to The Hockey News. The bottom line was $59.95 for a year, which I believe is 32 issues.

A few days later I got a similar pitch from Baseball America. They want almost $90 for a year's worth. I think they were also offering a book as a premium.

I understand that, unlike SI or ESPN, these publications need to recoup more money on subscriptions, but I can't imagine writing a check that big for either of them. I'm assuming the Internet has kicked these publications as badly as Sporting News has been kicked. If you're a Maple Leafs fan in Oregon, you can get tons of fresh information every day online.

Seems like a Catch-22. They have to charge enough to make some money, but at these rates, you're going to lose some people who might buy at a more reasonable rate.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Please supply the indicated mailing address for these "subscriptions". There are a couple of splendid scam operations going, and would be pleased to help save a fellow poster from getting snookered.

 

[JR]

HC just got a subscription to Hockey News--I had one for years in the pre internet days then let it lapse.

At less than $2.00 an issue, it's still a bargain.

 

[D-Backs Hack]

Sporting News, $8.95. For two years.

As one of the six people who still enjoy SN, bargain of a lifetime.

 

[Armchair_QB]

I just renewed THN today. Got it as a gift for my birthday last year and really enjoy it.

I've been a BA subscriber for about 10 years now.

I was a long-time (almost 30 years) reader/subscriber of TSN until I dropped it a couple of years ago. I wouldn't read it for free now. What they've done to that magazine is an abomination. It reads like a ****ing sportstalk radio station.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Please supply the indicated mailing address for these "subscriptions". There are a couple of splendid scam operations going, and would be pleased to help save a fellow poster from getting snookered.

Sorry, tossed both of them, but I don't doubt they were legit. Doesn't Hockey News use a US address in Buffalo? BA thing came with a color brochure advertising their books.

 

[D-Backs Hack]

I was a long-time (almost 30 years) reader/subscriber of TSN until I dropped it a couple of years ago. I wouldn't read it for free now. What they've done to that magazine is an abomination. It reads like a ****ing sportstalk radio station.

That's the stuff I usually don't read, AQB, but I see why that would turn you off.

I've heard SN described as the best magazine to read if you've been stranded on a desert island for a week and needed to catch up on sports. That's accurate, I think. Between the time spent on my beat and with boys ages 2 and 4, I don't get much time to casually watch sports. SN helps keep me in the know somewhat.

I like the "See A Different Game" features and the Insiders. Rosenthal (don't know how much he's there now), McNeal and Hayes are good. I skip much of the gabby stuff in the first few pages.

 

[Turbo]

Sporting News, $8.95. For two years.

As one of the six people who still enjoy SN, bargain of a lifetime.

How'd you get that deal? I like to pick up TSN to read on my lunch break. I need to get in on that.

 

[poindexter]

I am the only other subscriber to Sporting News here, and this is someone who subscribed to SI from age 15 to 37.

Sporting News is the least annoying between itself, SI and ESPN Mag.