Hi:
We are considering whether to purchase sports content from AP, including an extensive stats package and we were wondering how valuable people would find such a service. This would be similar to what is available now on other sports websites (for example, SI.com uses this to supplement their staff-written stuff).

--Would you read such sports content on Outsports?
--Would it make you more likely to come to Outsports?
--Would you use Outsports as a more general sports site vs. one you use now?

Any feedback welcome and it will help us make a decision.

Thanks!

--Would you read such sports content on Outsports?

I might. It probably depends on what the content is and how easy it is to use. Does this mean you'd have a setup similar to sites like Yahoo where you can click on links to pages for the different sports and read game summaries, boxscores, standings, etc.?

--Would it make you more likely to come to Outsports?

I'm not sure I can come to Outsports more than I already do.

--Would you use Outsports as a more general sports site vs. one you use now?

Same answer as to the first question.

For example, the NFL would look similar to this, but it would be an Outsports page (our logos, ads etc.).

It certainly wouldn't be bad. I mean, when I go searching for my sports news when I'm not at work, I'm on TSN, Sportsnet, and ESPN... I come here mainly to read up on Gay Athletes and opinions on the sports world from gay fans.

Would I use the tools if offered here... absolutely. But as long as it doesn't go too far into the "typical sports news website"... Outsports is different, unique and stands out... would hate to see it look similar to something found on ESPN.

No, it would simply be in addition to what we offer now.

I think I like the idea.

I think it would make Outsports more mainstream, and targeting a new audience.

This could be good and bad.

In the short term, it would wean me off ExtraStupidPeopleNetwork which can't be anything but good.

In the long term, I see Jim & Cyd with the extreme cash flow through mainstream advertising sponsorships, corporate support, and lots of media saturation that wasn't previously available. I see banners at Rosenblatt Stadium, koozies with the Outsports logo being sold at the Daytona 500, and a gay sports cable network with a global satellite link.

I probably wouldn't use the extra information very much--I rarely visit the home page, and when I do I want to see stories specifically about gay sports. Can't imagine OS replacing ESPN for me any time soon...

I'm kinda the opposite from Golfer in that I always visit the home page first, and if I have time I'll check in with the discussion forum.

I check the homepage at least once a day so if the content is interesting, I'd read it. I wouldn't really care about stats and stuff, but the story on the example page about Brady being pissed that Plaxico only thinks he'll score 17 points seemed interesting. I'd definitely read things like that.

The thing is though that it would change the site. I kind of agree with golfer in that I want to read about gay sports, but as long as there is a clear separation of the new content and gay sports, I'm all for it, because then the gay stuff won't blend into the background. Also, if this could in any way cause a decrease in the kind of stories you have now, I'd have to say no.

-Matt

I like Outsports for what it is, so for me this additional info wouldn't be that big a draw as I could find it someplace else. That said, if you do get it I would probably use it, but right now it doesn't sound all that appealing to me. I'm quite loyal to ESPN.com, and only go to other sites (SI.com, NBA.com, MLB.com, TSN.ca, Sportsnet.ca and various newspaper sports sections) only if I want to find out more, or different views, of a particular topic.

I like the content we have now. I'm not saying more sports stuff would be bad at all, but I like the format it is presented on the blog. With the mainstream sports stories in a gay perspective. I have a widget on my work computer that tells me when the blog is updated and when ESPN has updates. For scores I can go to ESPN, but for stories, I like OS take.

If you want to cover more mainstream stuff, why not just have a blurb with your take and link to the story and skip the AP fee.

Like some of the previous comments, I really Outsports take on stories rather than using AP media stories. I'd rather have Outsports loaded with its own content all over the site as opposed to a filtered down site where I've got to look a little harder amongst all the other AP stories to find Outsports take on some of it's own stories.

There are too many other sports reporting sites out there (espn.com, cnnsi.com, cbs.sportsline.com, foxsports.com), is there a need for another one and if so, how innovative would it really be that it could positive sustain itself?

I would prefer this site tackle issues that I'm not going to see on mainstream sites. Don't waste the money. No offense, but I'm not going to think to come here for a meaty sports story.

FYI, we are holding off on this for now. Thanks for the input!