I just heard about a gay sports magazine called Out-Jock that's looking for investors. Great idea, except most gay magazines are failing ventures (HERO's going broke and begging for donations!), and only survive with other businesses propping them up (like the Advocate making money from Advocate Men and their porn mags). Also, the "editors" have absolutely no sports writing or publishing experience. Anyone else heard about this?

I did a little searching and have found nothing on the publication. As someone with experience in the world of gay publishing I would say the magazine sounds like a formula for failure. Lets face it, we have something good here with Outsports and we should do all we can to support it and help it grow.

I personaly don't need to read a magazine like Out Jock when I can get better info here on Outsports.

[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: Steen ]

I too have never heard of this magazine. There are so many gay mags that come and go. I think it would really have to be exceptional to be able to survive. Personally I much prefer this website anyday, the interaction with so many other guys is first rate.

I got a call from someone who is interviewing to be their editor. Don't know much more except that it sounds like it's going to be a Men's Health, but gayer.

The halcyon days of magazines are slipping away. In my early 30's, I've completely disavowed all publications, as I can get what I need online, and for free, and at least 3 or more days in advance.
And why, again, would someone of our generation pay for old news?
Last year saw the ending of my subscription to SI (after 10+ years). I just reached a point where there was no way they could tell me something I didn't already know...4 days ago.
Gay mags have a tumultous track record. This one sounds like yet another glorious flop.

Is that magazine ESPN The Magazine? So many gay tones within the cover of that mag.

[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: wade n atlanta ]

Other than the fact they completely ignore gays in their editorial content, could Men's Health be any gayer??!

As for getting "it all for free," there is no such thing as a free lunch [Outsports being the lone exception so far!], and if the print-side of magazines fail, generall so will on-line content.

Perhaps more are going to go the way of the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, and Salon and charge for content. Which would be fine with me if the quality of the content is up, and ads are down.

But so far, there is no substitute for the convenience, and quality of actual print vs web displays--regardless of your screen or modem speed. Until the basics of that change, I'll still subscribe, while relying more and more on the web for news and information.

Specifically about Out-Jock, it's hard to imagine that being nearly as popular with the gym crowd on their treadmills/bikes reading that as openly as they do Men's Health/Fitness/Journal/Muscle etc. while watching Will & Grace on the TV monitors....

I am a subscriber to Mens Health, and have been for years. I feel its the best "mens magazine" out there, as far as being mainly heterosexually overall, with sometimes a few exceptions. Most of the times the articles are pertinent I feel to both gays and straights. Its one of the few magazines I currently subscribe to that I can take over an hour to read. Could they be more forwardly gay?, yes, absolutely. I am sure they know probably a good percentage of their readership is gay, as I note they usually have quite a few tidbits devoted to hiv, health and new drugs on the horizon. The articles I can do without are the ones geared for hetero sex, and how to improve oneself with his mate...doesn't do a thing for me.

Cyd said:

"like Men's Health, but gayer."


Damn, it doesn't get much gayer than Men's Health. At least not on most newstands that don't carry porn.

Check out the Modern Humorist's take on Men's Health -- it basically says it all.

I have a hard time believing a gay sports mag would survive. But I don't think it's a bad idea, just one that's still a bit too early.

Z

If nothing else, I'd be interested in seeing if their writers get the same lockerroom access as other sportswriters do,

This is an interesting thread. I think the success of such a magazine would depend on how "gay" it was vs. how sports focused it was. If it didn't wear its sexuality on its sleeve and did a good job of reporting and photographing sports, all the while recognizing and cultivating, but not kow-towing to, a gay readership, I think it would do very well. In fact, I think it would garner a strong following from confirmed straight men, who would find it at least interesting, as long as it did a good job on the basics. Lesbians and sports-minded straight ladies could find it attractive for the same reasons. Marketing technique would also have a lot to do with it's success. Makes me regret I didn't go into advertising instead of lawyering - and had a few million to throw around as well!

Is Hero going to close?

Didnt there used to be a gay sports magazine out a few years ago called Urban Fitness?

Hi canadalaw: I actually like Hero, although I can't exactly pinpoint why. I can say one reason is because they do some articles on couples, something I find rare in gay mens magazines today. Maybe another reason is because they have little or no articles related to fashion which doesn't do a heck of alot for me personally. One big turnoff for me is reading a magazine and having to wade through 8-10 pages of fashion, or more than 2 mens colognes..BIG TURNOFF for me. If I want to wear cologne I will apply it, but I don't care for my magazines smelling like the perfume counter at Nordstoms.

Come on, guys, keep an open mind regarding this new magazine. From what I've heard, the emphasis is on gays and lesbians in sports at all levels...without all the sleaze that seems to accompany everything marketed towards the gay community. Give it a chance; it'll probably turn out to be a very positive venue for gays and lesbians of all ages.

There's nothing to suggest that both Outsports and this new venture can't co-exist successfully.

Yep - they could refer to "your partner" occasionally instead of always referring to your wife or girlfriend- GAYS do exist you know - the pictures are GREAT though.

My point was that the people organizing this magazine have no experience in either gay journalism or sports, let alone gay sports. I would prefer that informed voices like those here be the organizers of it, not inexperienced people who just see a target market.

It sounds to me like you have some sort of bone to pick with these guys.....Perhaps if you revealed why you feel this way? Have you met them? Did you interview for a job or something?

[ January 14, 2002: Message edited by: Bryan ]

I agree with Bryan. It would help if we knew who these entirely incompetent and inexperienced people were so that we could figure out for ourselves if they are actually the second comming of USA Today. Also any publicly available information on the project would help.

By the way, I'm the new Sports Editor for OUTjOCK magazine. In my eager defense of this new venture, I failed to mention my involvement. I'm very excited about this magazine and the people I'm working with. I hope you'll all give us a fighting chance...

Well, Bryan, you're giving us no more info than Jaques did . Is there a web site we can check out, or some personell we can get background on? Perhaps just some indication as to when this magazine will be available. I'd like to see what is in the works.

The first issue will be out in March. Basically, if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and enjoy sports, health and fitness, you're an OUTjOCK - someone who enjoys playing and watching sports, being physically and mentally fit, and being conscious of diet and overall health. Almost everyone involved either has a background in sports and health, or feels passionately about the whole subject.

And just to answer Canadalaw's other question...yes, there was a sports/outdoor magazine named Urban Fitness that catered to gays and lesbians. I believe (but don't hold me to this) that is was a Canadian publication. Didn't last very long though. Not even a year.

I really miss Gym Magazine which was edited by Richard Perez Feria. I would like to say another gay sports magazine along that line....

Why thank you, LSU... I miss gym Magazine and Burn!), too... I'm planning something soon I'll share with you guys on Outsports... --Richard Perez-Feria

[quote]Basically, if you're gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and enjoy sports, health and fitness, you're an OUTjOCK - someone who enjoys playing and watching sports, being physically and mentally fit, and being conscious of diet and overall health.

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Bryan, this is NOT a rip on you or your forthcoming magazine, honest, but you had me with the "playing and watching sports", lost me with the other stuff.

Whenever I meet a gay guy who says "I like sports" the first question I have for them is "Define sports". A good percentage of the time they say "Oh, hiking, camping, mountain biking, rafting, that sort of thing". Well, to me, those are not sports, they are activities, some of which I like to do.

So, correct me if I'm wrong Bryan, but your new magazine isn't really going to be covering the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, English Soccer, er, well, you know what I mean. It would be great if there was coverage of say, college lacrosse, from a gay perspective but I suspect that's not what you have in mind.

I had great hopes for Hero when it started. I bought the first couple of issues based on their premise of covering dating, relationships, monogamy etc. Those things were sort of there at the beginning, but every issue I've looked at recently had articles about "How to Find the Best Cruise", "Electronic Toys You Need", "Rock Hard Abs in 10 Days" (note: not real Hero articles, just generic titles for generic articles). In other words, they've turned in to yet another lifestyle magazine for upper middle-class gays.

[quote]It would be great if there was coverage of say, college lacrosse, from a gay perspective but I suspect that's not what you have in mind.

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Out of curiosity, what is a gay perspective in sports? One, I mean, that would cover, as Mr. Allen says, the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, collegiate sports, English soccer , etc...that doesn't exist in the form of SI, ESPN, The Sporting News, and, of course, the various publications like Street & Smiths that specifically target these seasons?

That is, if a publishing magnate decided to hire YOU as the editor-in-chief of aforementioned magazine, what would you want to do?

[quote]Originally posted by Chip:
Out of curiosity, what is a gay perspective in sports?

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When you are equally comfortable debating whether Marshall Faulk is the best running back in the NFL ... AND ... whether or not he has the best booty.

[quote]Originally posted by Chip:
That is, if a publishing magnate decided to hire YOU as the editor-in-chief of aforementioned magazine, what would you want to do?

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The first thing I'd ask myself is, why isn't SI good enough for the gay sports fan? What does it lack, what in it is either annoying, offensive or simply unnecessary. I'd add the former, remove the latter and obfuscate everything in between to the point that the SI editors wouldn't recognize their own work. I'd throw in a sizeable dose of OutSports and I think I'd have something that would work.
One thing I would be adamant about is local coverage. Every issue would have one or two articles about local gay sports organizations and events. Not only to get people in those communities interested in the magazine, but to show people in other communities how to organize effectively (or, for that matter, what to avoid).
Also, I would do a lot of the Advocate type of thing and interview major straight, gay friendly, athletes about how they feel being gay sex symbols and the like. At least until someone big actually comes out, then I would just pray he/she is willing to do it in my rag.

[quote]When you are equally comfortable debating whether Marshall Faulk is the best running back in the NFL ... AND ... whether or not he has the best booty.

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That's it. That's it exactly.

"The first issue will be out in March..."

So sayeth Bryan, who at first said "he heard" what it was about, then admitted being the Editor.

I've been to the web site www.outjock.com, and it recently asked for emails for a mailing list, then offered payment options.

Let's see. It's now August.

Who would pay in advance for a magazine that has yet to put out a first issue that's five months late?