What is up with half naked guys on just about EVERY photo ad on Outsports??!! This inhibits me from going to the site at work (where there are co-workers/clients abound). Being on the internet is not a problem, as a good deal of my job requires it, but I might as well pull up porn or go to www.manhunt.net, it's about the same thing!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Money is money, perhaps they are having a difficult time finding legitimate sponsors?

Can you turn your monitor away from the co-workers? I have an office all to myself and don’t really mind the pics as long as the guys aren't completely nude. In fact, I enjoy them.

Apparently all advertisers think we gay men do are go to gay resorts, buy underwear and jockstraps, and look at sexy all american men.
May sound like not a bad life, but my interests are much more varied, and there are plenty of other things that could be advertised on hear. I wish some other people would get a clue at a wide market they could reach if they advertized at outsports.

That is all I have to say, I am busy making my reservation at a clothing optional resort, but confounded at the fact I will not be able to show off my new underwear and jock straps, but looking forward to looking at some all-american guys. I will be travelling in a vehicle that I found on gaywheels.com . I do hope the resort as internet so I can get on gay.com. Oh what I life I live!

Turn off Auto Load Images and you will be fine.

Cute, this gave me a chuckle.

Orsino...can you explain how one activates this 'auto load images' thingy?!

THANKS. ;-)

We had a pretty detailed discussion about this very topic on this thread in the About Outsports Forum.

Just in case you want to see how others feel about it.

FMTN...thanks so much, didn't know there was another thread. THANKS!

I don't know why, but it made me feel better when I read of a petition going around on myspace.com over adds on their site regarding scantily clad females....

I still think its kinda funny people are complaining because they're concerned about pulling these sites up AT WORK!

NJ

[quote]softballstud:
[QUOTE] ...can you explain how one activates this 'auto load images' thingy?!

THANKS. ;-) [/quote]It depends on your browser. I use Firefox and the option can be found under
Tools>Options...>Web Features
I check the boxes for "for the originating website only" and the ad images disappear. Other things disappear too, so it's not perfect, but much "cleaner."

Other browsers will do the same, but I'm not sure specifically where the options are.

I tend to completely ignore the pictures. It helps that I'm not very visually-oriented. But I'll admit to looking over at that JockstrapCentral guy a few times...

LXN

I have perfected the art of blocking images:

Block a particular domain:
images.blogads.com

Voila! No more semi-porn.
To compensate, I promise to click through from my home computer.

The added benefit of blocking blogads.com is that if you visit other sites that have the same advertising, the pics will be blocked there too.

In Firefox, you can right click the image and select "Block Images from ... "

Note: this will not block images hosted by outsports.com (e.g. All American Guys).

If you're using Internet Explorer you can suppress pictures by going into tools, advance tab, in the multimedia section uncheck the show pictures box. All pictures will be suppressed.

hey, welcome rosie to the ads column, just checked out your site--nothing I need, but glad to see you here.

I have to agree softballstud. I can't run the risk of anyone at work walking into my office while I have the message board up with these photos showing. I have really cut my Outsports time by over half. I didn't mind the ads at the top of the page but along the right side is a little too much.

The ad with the line "Porn. Hey ladies it's not just for men any more" made absolutely no sense -- but it actually is a link to MSNBC's website for some sort of news report. I'm actually relieved that it isn't a link to some porn site catering to straight women.

[ December 11, 2005, 03:50 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

I hate the full page ad with the white, white background that too often pops open when I want to read a thread. To get rid of the annoying ad, I have to click the back button, which I did not have to do until recently because the frustrating ad didn't appear before and prevent me from looking at messages.

This is the ad I'm talking about:


Advertisers
Jockstraps for Sport Fashion or Fetish
No longer just for sports. Wear jockstraps all day, every day. To the office or for that guy you just picked up online.

Jockstrapcentral.com does a new take on the athletic supporter with behind the scenes galleries and more.

Sports, mesh, NYPD and military jocks - check it out!
Read More...
Porn. Hey ladies it's not just for men any more.

See how selling sex to both sexes is making pornography the envy of the entertainment industry.
Read More...
Visit

Rosie O'Donnell's

r store.

Great clothes and gifts.

All profits go to charity.
Read More...
JUSTUS BOYZ
THE NEW JUSTUS BOYZ BRIEF COLLECTION!

Hot Sport Hip Briefs, Boxer Briefs & Trunk Briefs for All The Boyz Around The world.
Read More...
Tropical Resort for Men
Private, clothing-optional resort for men in Old Town Key West. Poolside cafe and bar. Luxury rooms with our heavenly beds. Heated pool, fully equipped gym, sauna, steamroom, two Jacuzzis, erotic video room. Island House was recently named "The best gay men's resort in the world.? by Out Traveler
Read More...
Key West
Imagine a subtropical island where the average temperature is 70. Where two oceans meet & accommodations are among the most appealing & diversified. With our live and let live attitude, it's no wonder that our two-by-four-mile island is acclaimed as THE gay and lesbian vacation destination.
Read More...
Gay.com - Free!
Time to dive in! Meet hot guys online. Millions of active members, plus the latest in gay news, entertainment, and gossip. Find men near you, and see what you've been missing.
Read More...
10% Off Sexy Mens Underwear
NuWear is running their Big Underwear Sale, which means that everything -- and I mean EVERYTHING -- is on sale 10% off.

NuWear also offers free shipping on orders over $75, so keep that in mind while shopping.
Read More...
Read More...
Advertise on Outsports

I've noticed that a time or two, but I think it happens if you click in that area (for example, to go to the bottom of the thread) before the page fully loads.

I think JIP is right. All those ads you describe only run down the right side and none are a full page.

Posted by GatorJamie (Member # 1216) on December 12, 2005, 06:26 AM:

I've decided to take a break from Outsports for a while. The biggest reason can be found directly to the right of this post.

I started coming here because I'm a football fan who wanted to discuss football with other gay football fans, and maybe meet other gay Gator fans. The fact that 95% of the populace was male didn't/doesn't matter, since (1) I don't have anything against guys, and (2) I wasn't here to hook up.

In the 3 or so years that I've been here, I've met some quality people and had a great time. I've learned a lot more about sports, as well.

I understand that nothing comes for free. When Jim and Cyd asked for help for the legal defense fund, I gave generously. When mention was recently made that there was an expectation that members contribute, I contributed. It wasn't much, but I'm studying for the bar full-time and am not working, so I did the best I could.

So I understand that Outsports needs to expand their revenue base. I understand that advertising is a big part of it. The problem that I have with these right-column ads has nothing to do with gender - I'd still be disappointed if they featured women.

The problem is that they devalue Outsports as a legitimate sports journalism source. And even though there is a lot of entertainment offered by the bulletin boards, there was still a perception of "real" sports interest. Now, the ads are tipping Outsports away from that. It's a lot more like Tiger Beat and a lot less like Sports Illustrated.

In the Harbison trial that was televised by Bravo, attorney Geoffrey Fieger tried unsuccessfully to portray Outsports as little more than a soft-core porn outlet. I was appalled by this characterization at the time, but now I wonder if it has some foundation.

Although I don't expect the site to change, I'll be back at some point. In the meantime, everyone have a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy the bowl games!

GatorJamie


Posted by sjtexasex (Member # 148) on December 12, 2005, 06:35 AM:

Jamie, thanks for pointing what I have been thinking for a while now. Like you, I understand that the site needs to advertise. But, I am also frustrated by the nature of the ads. I find that this whole site has become "not safe for work", which is a shame.


Posted by faydman (Member # 48) on December 12, 2005, 08:11 AM:

agreed. outsports has gone trashy. don't mind the occasional banner at the top...but would much prefer adsense or something else rather than "jockstrapcentral" and "pornvalley" plastered across the right side of my screen.

I also agree. It's very difficult and discouraging to see Outsports carry ads that probably wouldn't make it to the pages of The Advocate.

Just to the right of my screen is a pic of a man with bare ass taking off his jockstrap. Is this conducive to a professionbal atmosphere? (for the reader and for the site?) No.

I'll have to visit this site less and less also. and already have started to .

If you're using Internet Explorer you can suppress pictures by going into tools, advance tab, in the multimedia section uncheck the show pictures box. All pictures will be suppressed. If you want to see a picture in IE, right click and hit show picture. I have pictures turned off and I have no problems. Adapt.

Jamie, sad to see you go.

All I'll say on this subject is that the only people who ever complain about this stuff are gay people. When CNN calls to have us on, they don't say, "but you have those ads on your site." When the New York Times calls us a good Web site, they don't say, "but they have those ads on the site." When high school kids find who find strength in our stories write to us and thank us, they've never said, "but you have those ads on your site."

What is Sports Illustrated's #1-selling issue of the year? The Swimsuit issue. It has nothing to do with sports, yet every year, all year, they pump up hot chicks wearing virtually nothing so they can make money when they release the issue every late-winter.

Do people say when mentioning Sports Illustrated, "they are the leading sports magazine in the country, maybe the world, but they have that annual swimsuit issue that totally detracts from what they're doing"?

Jim and I have been working our asses off on this site for six years now. Six years. Six years of spending less time with our boyfriends, six years of staying in on a Saturday night instead of going out, six years of foregoing full-time jobs so we can continue to build this community. We have pumped thousands and thousands of dollars of our personal money into this site. We've gotten tons of thanks and support, and we appreciate that a great deal. But, we need to build the revenue from this site. We can't keep spending all of this time and sacrificing all we're sacrificing and not get paid for it.

I think it's a shame that you are focusing on your personal distaste for some ads from legitimate businesses instead of focusing on what a great community this is. I find it interesting that, again, it's always the gay people who make that choice.

But, if you have to go, then we wish you the best of luck and we'll miss you.

So, is an ad of someone in a jockstrap more "distasteful" than an ad for tobacco, or firearms or hard liquor or strip clubs? The latter ads can be found in newspapers and magazines everywhere, yet no one questions their journalistic integrity. It's a double standard, all too common when applied to things gay and I'm sad that some people here buy into it.

I'll mention again, as I did elsewhere, that the "Porn Valley" ad is actually a link to MSNBC's website, where they did some report on the subject, and not actually to a porn site. (I see today that it actually says "MSNBC" in the ad.

Which ads are worse? Ads for Jockstrapcentral or those stupid flashing "Click on the bunny and win an iPod!!"-type things? I'd prefer the jockstraps, personally -- they're much less annoying -- but then I don't have to worry about someone at work seeing a nude rear end.

I'm not sure where GJ is coming from with regard to the existence of ads. EVERY media website has them. Go to philly.com, washingtonpost.com, etc. They ALL have ads. If the problem is with the type of ads, well, you have to have advertisers willing to buy the space. These gay-oriented companies and clothing sites and such are the ones willing to spend the money. Why aren't there ads from companies that buy ad space in Out or the Advocate -- say, Subaru for example? Perhaps these companies don't do Internet advertising, or perhaps they need to be made aware of Outsports. Maybe Outsports needs a Marketing Director or something.

I need to echo Cyd and Jim on this point. I'll miss Gator Jamie, but I don't understand this conceit that Outsports should somehow be a pristine site. Everything Jim and Cyd do takes money, and they need to be able to have a reliable, measurable revenue stream. I think if it means people have to adjust their reading habits a bit so as accomodate workplace mores, then so be it. That's still a small price to pay for what we have here.

[ December 12, 2005, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: Munson Man ]

Ditto, to what you said Munson, with due respect to Jamie and her opinion, I agree with you.

Frankly it is more of a sad commentary that this is what marketing people think of us. Obviosuly it would be better if more mainstream advertisers wanted to advertise here. But considering the increasing number of threads/posts about such stereotyping topics as cock size, cut or uncut, favorite porn star, drooling over every staright guy, etc., it's little wonder why marketers think this is all "we" have on our minds.

With all due respect Jim, I can have an ad for a firearm or cigarettes running up and down the side of web page I am on, and when people walk behind me, it doesn't prompt them to slam on their foot brakes and say "WHAT SITE ARE YOU ON????"

I also understand the need to have advertisers on a page that is accessed by users for free, and we thank you for that, bowever....In my opinion, other sponsors (or at least other banner pictures) could have been chosen.

[quote]Merloni26:
[QUOTE]I also understand the need to have advertisers on a page that is accessed by users for free, and we thank you for that, bowever....In my opinion, other sponsors (or at least other banner pictures) could have been chosen. [/quote]I wish we were in a position to CHOOSE our advertisers. But, like 99.99% of all media outlets, we don't choose our advertisers - they choose us.

Cyd ... my respect for you has gone up expotentially.

this should solve the problems.

The new format makes the ads much, much more prominant than before. I'm sure this is by design, as it's what has caused the spike in attention (both good and bad). I'm not crazy about the ads - particulary "porn valley" - but my main conviction is that this is Cyd and Jim's web site and, in the end, if they feel the ads are appropriate then I will respect that decision and do whatever I have to do to be able to continue to read/visit/post on Outsports. Hell, they've been right about everything else so far; I see no reason not to keep putting my faith in them when it comes to what is best for Outsports.com.

It's a shame that some people are so upset by the ads that they feel the need to limit their posting and/or leave the site altogether - particularly someone as lovely and as much a part of this community as Gator Jamie - but I can respect those decisions as well.

Everybody has to do what is best for them. That hopefully applies across the board - from the co-founders of the board to the newest of community members. I hope the ads are bringing in the revenue you need, guys, given the controversy they are causing. And that's all I have to say about that

have the new york times and cnn, et al. said those things SINCE the ads went up? somehow i doubt it. do you really think the perception of your website will remain the same?

Just a small observation....

First to compare the swimsuit issue and a message board. Well, MOST people would not swoon through the online swimsuit edition at work. Nor would anyone bring it to work with them and page through it. So that is not really a good arguement when some of your posters bring up having a bare ass on the board.

Then again if you pulled up SI, without clicking away, i'm doubting that you find the thong pictures popping up everywhere without going to find them.

The irony i see is what is skipped over in what GJ has brought up. While i see the need to make money... i just find it odd that the purpose of the site is to break stereotypes associated with everything that "all homos are little girls" kinda thing... Yet when the mighty dollar comes calling, we get to see the "jocks for fashion" site come up. If you look at the site, they are not even for sports.

Personally, if i'm at work i'll make the browser smaller.

So while everyone rattles on about bad stereo types, we just have look to our left...

In just looking at when the message board is hopping, i'd say most people do this while on little breaks for work. So, within that arena, if people are saying.. i'm not comfortable... well, you have to judge your new jack vs how many hits you will be getting.

Then again, losing someone who actually posts about sports and knows what they are talking about... that is sad. Plus she's got a great rack.

Well, I have to agree with GatorJamie to some extent. The vast majority of the time that I access Outsports is thru my company's internet/servers and I feel that the addition of all the soft-porn type ads are inappropriate for a workplace environment. Such photos make me uncomfortable and may lead to me coming to this site less. And I do believe that it cheapens the site's perception and re-inforces the stereotype of the sex-obsessed gay male. I've been on Outsports.com for years and realize this is a great site with value. However, if I were unfamiliar with Outsports and came across it just purusing the web today, I think my perception of it would be much less--if I didn't just pass it by completely.

Sorry, but you're wrong. We have had these ads on the Web site since May. We just added them to the discussion board last month. Since last May, we've been on ESPN twice, mentioned in the New York Times, quoted in the Chicago Tribune and The Advocate, interviewed on ESPN Radio, and these are just five examples of probably 50 to 100 pieces of media exposure from the mainstream media we have gotten since starting to use these ads.

Again, the complaints and comments remain from a handful of gay people who forget that, since the beginning of sport itself, sexuality and nudity have gone hand-in-hand with athletics.

Allen Scary, Cyd. Very scary.

My husband likes the ads. Of course, he goes to Auburn games to see what people are wearing, so I don't know if I would use him as a vote of confidence.

Cyd and Jim, have we checked into places like Under Armour, Nike, Road Runner Sports (mail order running gear)? Why not big banks and financial advisors? After all, statistically, we have more money to invest and more spend. I think Countrywide Mortgage would be interested since they would love to get a share of "our" business.

I don't spend squat on the websites to the left. I'll look at the pictures and that's it. I buy 3 to 4 pairs of running shoes a year. I buy all of the equipment to go with it and I invest my money and have mortgages. Those are the things, especially with incentive, that I would click to from this site.

I"m not bitching, just suggesting.

PF, the "purpose of the site" that you mentioned is not our purpose. Our mission, as written on our "about us" page, is:

"Outsports' mission is to build the broadest, deepest, most informative and most entertaining gay sports community."

I think we, along with you all, do that pretty darn well.

Breaking stereotypes may be a byproduct of our mission, but it is not our mission or our purpose. It may be YOUR purpose for the site, but it is not ours.

The ads are not contrary to OUR mission for the site (one could even argue that some of them CONTRIBUTE to our mission), thus we allow them.

We have investigated these and others and continue to do so. Road Runner, for example, is one of our affiliates (we get a cut of each sale if you buy through our link). Being an independent site makes it harder for us to attract some advertisers that wish a broader platform with companies that own several sites.

As for the whole "credibility" issue, it's rather silly. We have established major cred and the media heavyweights continue to call on us for stories, ideas and comments. Outsports has done more than any publication in the world to raise the visibility of gays and lesbians and sports and some ads of guys in underwear won't change that.

Gee, I saw a large, full-color underwear ad in my LA Times last week from Macy's -- I'll never believe anything they write in their news columns again!)

Looks like some have hit a nerve by questioning the ads.

I’d venture to say that the majority of your regular posters (GJ) is a professional in a professional office, around professional people and expected to act professionally. If someone’s boss or co-worker walks by and sees the jockstrap ad… well, it’s not really professional. Everyone can admit this.

These people are just letting you know that you may be losing a lot of traffic because of this. Based on what I see, most of the posting goes on during the day with those of us who live in cubicle land.

From a marketing standpoint, I’d say most of your posters are upper middle class in income. They are typically 30+. They do have disposable income to spend. It’s basically not your college party crowd anymore. Outside of the hot jock thread, I’m sure most aren’t interested in getting the latest Jock collection going. But hey, I’m just a business major from many years ago.

At this point, it looks like anyone who raises this question is just splitting hairs because this is just about how much money you are going to get. So I suggest just saying.

This is a business, these are the ads. We don’t care what most of you think, don’t visit the message board if you don’t like it.

In all honesty GJ is my bud, she is down to earth, she has no axe to grind. I think she made a great point. I also think she deserved a bit more respect in voicing it. Plus she’s pretty hot, a great rack and makes out on command.

There's two things in life that irritate me to no end. One is stereotypes. The other is when people live up to those stereotypes, i.e. You see a penny pinching Jewish person, a blonde woman with no common sense, etc...

One of the (many) stereotypes for our community is that we are all man hungry people who think of nothing besides sex. So why I bring this up, is someone...like homophobic sports show hosts, will be referring to Outsports due to some big story that was broken by Jim and Cyd, and the first thing (and only probably only thing) they'll see is the 1/2 naked thong wearers, etc... And it will just feed into their stereotype of us.

That's my whacked out view

From PF: PF, I'm with you on this. I thought Cyd's response to one of the most respected and beloved posters was inappropriate. In the early days of the site, GJ was one of those that really helped foster the board and create the atmosphere of good natured fun while fostering relationships across the board. Like you, GJ is my bud and I'm biased. I've had the pleasure of meeting her and Boston Girl, those cute boys in Phoenix and, last but not least, Herr Tiggee. I'm very thankful that the board was a catalyst for these meetings.

Cyd and Jim, I know that you need to earn money out of this site. It's your business and you can run your business however you choose. But, as in any business, you are subject to the criticism of your customers. Lord knows, we get them everyday. Good business men take those suggestions and put them in the back of their mind and factor them into future decisions for the board. If the ads must stay, they must stay. If this is the case, just say it and close the thread. If your posters leave because they are offended, that's just the way it is.and everyone should leave as friends.

Gator Jamie, You echo my sentiments exactly. For those of us that sit in cubicles working for Fortune 500 companies, the ads on the message board are highly unprofessional, inappropriate for many of my co-workers who sit nearby and they devalue Outsports and portray those of us that post here as focused on one thing (Ref: Target Marketing). None of the other sports oriented sites I visit daily contain this content. Perhaps in the offices of Outsports and others who feel comfortable viewing Tommy D in his JockStrapCentral.com ad, these ads can be viewed without repercussion. For those of us without “milking stations” in our offices, we feel different. (just kidding)

Anyone who works in the corporate world should also understand the realities of modern marketing and advertising. Sex sells...remember? It appears that it's okay for women (and often men) to wear virtually nothing in ads prominently placed in major mainstream magazines (Vanity Fair, GQ, Sports Illustrated, etc.) but for some reason barely clothed men selling underwear and jocks(sports-related, yes?) is considered sordid on a free gay sports website. I see hypocrisy from these corporate bigwigs who disapprove of their employees for something so inconsequential, and I see posters here complaining about ads that appear while they're at work when they're supposed to be working anyway. Come on, folks. You may not like the ads but the ads aren't chosen based on your work viewing needs alone. There's definitely a double standard as well regarding male nudity versus female nudity. It's silly. Porn would be defined by actual sex happening, not underwear clad models who appear in virtually all advertising: print, web, broadcast. I respect everyone's opinion, and no one has to like overt sexuality in ads, but it's all sounding oddly prudish to me. This is a free site that is a pleasure to visit; where's the beef?
Oh, yes, in the ads...

[ December 12, 2005, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Bryan ]

Sex may sell, but I don't normally see a man's bare ass in ads on a mainstream website (which Outsports pretty much is, considering how much press it's been getting lately).

If keeping the racy ads is the only way to keep the Outsports community, than so be it. But maybe its time for more of us to "put up or shut up." Personally, I'd be quite happy to contribute $$$ in lieu of "jockstrapcentral" ads if it keeps us from losing posters like GatorJamie. Soon after I joined the board, she was one of the first members to defend me when another well known member made an ass****-esque comment to me about the bar exam I was taking during the following week. Hopefully GatorJamie will return after the stress of studying for her own exam is over.

There this website I found of something called "Sports Illustrated." Check out the soft porn this site runs, and we're talking editorial content, not ads. They even have video! How disgusting. That site will have zero credibility with me. eek!

Mr outsports, thats not an ad....

That is a site you have to search out via SI.com.

I'm very surprised to read this. In what way was it inappropriate? Cyd said he was sad to see her go, said he wished she'd look at the positives of the site, and wished her well. That's actually quite polite. I respect that you agree with her position rather than Cyd's, but I don't think you can accuse him of being inappropriate.

Like Bryan, I am bemused by those who are indignant that the site can no longer be accessed during business hours without calling attention to the fact that they're doing something they shouldn't be doing during the workday.

I hope everyone who enjoys this site is able to continue to read and post on here for a long time to come. But in order for that to happen Jim and Cyd have to be able to pay the bills that keep the site going. I'm sure this started as a labor of love for them, but after six years they've earned the right to try and make the site self-supporting. I've been critical in the past of some decisions they've made, but I find the criticisms on here somewhat naive - very few media outlets can pick which ads they will run. The alternative to the business decisions these guys are making is that the site ceases to grow, content suffers, it becomes a pay site, or they simply hang it up and Outsports ceases to exist. Is any of those a more attractive option? I, for one, don't think so.