I'm not sure how many of you check out the Sports Business Journal on a daily basis, but I figured I would call this story about SportsBlogs Nation to your attention. Yes, the humble company that I started back in November of 2003 (AN will be five years old in just nine days) has blossomed into a thriving new media company with funding.
I'm very thankful and lucky to be associated with the quality of people and blogs that we have here. This funding is just going to enable us to do a lot of things like further iterate on our magnificent technology. I take it as a great sense of pride that this entire company started with this community and you should too. If it wasn't for the success and passion of A's fans, SportsBlogs Nation would have never gotten to this point.
The funny thing is that I've never, in my life, worked as hard as I have on this company (my wife would very quickly attest to that) and yet, I've never had as much fun doing anything in my life either. I realize how lucky I am to be working on something I love and feel so much passion for.
Thank you so much, AN, for helping give birth to SportsBlogs Nation. It wouldn't be what it is without you.
1 recs | 97 comments
Awesome, congrats!
So what will the money go to?
devo - October 28, 2008
Can we each have $10?
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
that's what I was going to say
mid seven figures? $10 shouldn’t be a problem.
mikeA - October 28, 2008
Oh, if people only knew how frugal Blez is
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Translation: Blez = cheap?
Tyler Bleszinski - October 28, 2008
will you give me $10?
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Translation: Blez is going to take his investors' money and blow it on a new wardrobe
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Mid Seven Figures eh?
Sounds like the A’s can afford a (semi-)shiny new free agent
nevermoor - October 28, 2008
We're awesome.
whiteshoes40 - October 28, 2008
I was just about to post a link to this!!
Congrats!!
When can we buy stock shares?
gigglingone - October 28, 2008
I can't say I helped give birth.
But being around for the pre-school years has been pretty cool.
67MARQUEZ - October 28, 2008
I joined at the toddler stage.
awesome! my friends call AN my online home. So it either means I’m obsessed, or AN is awesome!!
:p
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Personally I accept both as accurate
DMOAS - October 28, 2008
that's true. It's probably a bit of both!
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Hmm...
So, if you write for the site, do you get to claim your A’s tickets as “business expenses” on your taxes?
RickeySteals - October 28, 2008
uh-oh
That would also mean that I’ll have to itemize my FREE KRAUT as a gift … there goes my Senate career.
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Seems like a worthy trade...
RickeySteals - October 28, 2008
WHAT FREE KRAUT?!?!?
mikev - October 28, 2008
does it come with hot dogs?
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Saag's stand
h/t EnglishMajor
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
If I was paid to comment here...
I think I’d spend the other 3 hours of the day here too.
vignette17 - October 28, 2008
Best quotation
at the very end of the article:
Hey, thanks!
lurkerD - October 28, 2008
The article cut off
But it was supposed to end with “And then there’s Nico’s goat jokes.”
nevermoor - October 28, 2008
No, it's in there
You must have an earlier edition.
Nico - October 28, 2008
What?
I’m almost unintelligent enough to think thats an insult, maybe, I think…
head hurt…
robber23 - October 28, 2008
certain
does not mean high.
For example, Zero is a very certain number.
MobiusKlein - October 29, 2008
So, you hiring?
Serious question!
And if so, what technologies are you based on?
— Kirby (not having a happy time at work, can you tell?)
kirbyk - October 28, 2008
Congrats to Blez and everybody that puts their time and effort into this site.
time to party!
oakinboston - October 28, 2008
does randomly commenting/posting
whatever I happen to be thinking about at the moment count as effort?
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Well, you make it look effortless, I will say that.
67MARQUEZ - October 28, 2008
does that mean I don't get credit and I can't come to the party?!!?!?!
#14fan - October 28, 2008
1. TV content?
Nico and monkeyball hosting a pun and goat joke highlight show? Antique Baseball Roadshow with 67MARQUEZ? Where in the world is
Carmen SandiegomikeA? Maybe give PT a talk show?Caller: “We need a big bat. Maybe we could sign …”
{click}
PT: “I don’t even know what you were going to say, but frankly it doesn’t matter. That is the most horrendously awful piece of mind-bogglingly preposterous speculation in the history of this solar system. Any solar system. Whoever you were talking about, he’s overrated. Absurdly, unbelievably overrated. I literally cannot fathom why people think he has ever been any good at anything in his life. He is that terrible. I’m not even exaggerating. I’d rather have Bobby Crosby’s grandmother’s cocker spaniel playing shortstop than that guy. At least now I know never to listen to anything you have to say. Good day, sir. I said good day!”
2. Beyond ads, “monetize this really well” how?
74mk - October 28, 2008
Yeah, and when do the writers get a cut?
I’m pumping out content for free, here.
salb918 - October 28, 2008
school of hard knocks?
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Your ideas are intriguing me ...
and I’d like to subscribe to your newsletter …
devo - October 28, 2008
Can I be the first to point out that salb918 is overpaid?
Nico - October 28, 2008
But I don't get paid anyth...
oh.
salb918 - October 28, 2008
you can, but it'll cost you $10 for the privilege
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Haha, your comments always get a chuckle outta me.
And an insane jealousy with regard to your writing style. Keep it up!
GreenSocks - October 28, 2008
My precise sentiments.
67MARQUEZ - October 28, 2008
+0.5
Worlds greatest comment of the universe.
nevermoor - October 28, 2008
I'm reminded of Thurber's comment about humor and frog dissection
FreeSeatUpgrade - October 28, 2008
That dissecting frogs is humorous?
salb918 - October 28, 2008
Not Thurber
E.B. White
74mk - October 28, 2008
... but I take your point.
74mk - October 28, 2008
thank goodness you didn't have to find angel investors, Blez
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Hey Rev is rolling in dough
He might jump in at some point.
JK ;-)
Tyler Bleszinski - October 28, 2008
Chocolate chip or sugar?
And congrats.
Flashfire - October 28, 2008
So, am I finally going to be able to unsubscribe from the blogs that I currently can't remove?
mikev - October 28, 2008
Congratulations!
I know you have been hard at work, so I am delighted that this has come together.
You will probably be busier now than ever, Mr. President, but I trust AN is first in your (blog) heart and we will continue to enjoy your interviews and front page posts.
Wishing you all the success you so richly deserve.
We have missed you, you do know that, right?
LongTimeFan - October 28, 2008
Trust me
I’ve missed AN too. The only down side of the success of SBN has been the fact that I’ve had to pull back a bit from AN which makes an A’s fan extremely sad.
Tyler Bleszinski - October 28, 2008
I've been sad!!!!
I can’t phrase it any better, so just read Longtimefan’s post and pretend it was from me, because I would say the exact same thing, just less eloquently.
#14fan - October 28, 2008
Congrats Blez...
Awesome news and well deserved. Has to be a great feeling to have this happen on something you worked so hard on. Congrats.
OaktownPower - October 28, 2008
Congrats!
I am a rare poster but a constant follower of the blog.
I’m a former strategy consultant and current investment guy in the DC area and this has resulted in a happy confluence of my professional interests, my personal sports fanaticism, and my geographical location (DC).
You guys lined up some very respectable funders at a very tough time in the VC market. Accel is supposed to be one of the top VC firms for Web 2.0 and Allen & Co is a phenomenal merchant bank. It means a lot that they’re going in with you…you’ve got amazing chances.
I hope you guys got good terms on your equity and expect that you’ll continue to provide the same sort of personal touch to the sports world that brought you this happy milestone and will carry you far into the future.
eastbayexpat - October 28, 2008
Can I have a strategy to get $10?
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Easy
1. Find someone with $10
2. Tell them to give you $10
3. When they refuse, fling poop
4. Tell them to give you $10
5. Enjoy your $10
nevermoor - October 28, 2008
Elaboration of #5
5. Wipe butt with $10
Nick - October 28, 2008
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
(shakes head in wonder)
thinks to self….‘i threw Nico’s resume in the trash back in 04 but then Blez called and I said, maybe he could use him and fished it out"
ak_A - October 28, 2008
Fishin' in Alaska?
You betcha!
Nico - October 28, 2008
congratulations!
And thank you for both my $10 payment, and monkeyball’s $10 payment.
Apricot - October 28, 2008
Foolshgame22 is in charge of making the payments
so they should be arriving any day now.
Nico - October 28, 2008
damn
a cold one from the back of the fridge!
Apricot - October 28, 2008
unfortunately, he sent them electronically via ByrnesPal
The payments will be taking indirect routes through banks in Nigeria, Ukraine, and Switzerland before reaching their destinations.
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Although the delivery will be made at the normal time
By a delivery man who makes a sprinting dive at your door to edge out the USPS.
nevermoor - October 28, 2008
better hope they're addressed to your office ...
… because he’ll never come close to touching home …
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
QOTM for this whole subthread
whiteshoes40 - October 28, 2008
Congrats!
I often think of this as an example of what can happen when you’re passionate about what you do and willing to work really really hard.
You’ve earned this. Yay!
SportySpice - October 28, 2008
Congratulations, Blez.
This is awesome.
Rocktopus - October 28, 2008
Huzzah!
That’s exciting news! Maybe SBN can now provide some intelligent commentators to ESPN, Fox, etc instead of the hackneyed “analysis” they get from most of their current crop of bozos.
JLeverenz - October 28, 2008
Mazel tov
to the sbn crew. In a week or so, when my obsessive net time wastage might be reasonably expected to decline, i’m going to go back and check on some of the weird but lively sbn sites i’ve briefly encountered- like have you checked out the one on bicycle racing? Who knew?
Hot Cup Joe - October 28, 2008
Congratulations Blez!!!
Thanks to you and all of the other great A’s fans! So when they make the movie “From rags to riches” (The next Money Ball) who will play the part of Blez? Thanks again!
calas - October 28, 2008
Congrats!
That’s great news!! Well deserved too!!! This is easily my favorite site to visit! Living in RI I havn’t gotten to talk to many Athletics fans so this is a great place to come to talk to people and get information about the team!
ilovegregsmith - October 28, 2008
YAY, BLIZZ!!!!!!
But what’s SportsFrogs Nation, anyway?
-Cindi
Nico - October 28, 2008
I think it has something to do with Scott Spiezio
monkeyball - October 28, 2008
Aw!
Our little baby has grown up! It seems like just yesterday JimMercir’sClubFoot was running around posting like a crazy limb. Hell, back then monkeyball wasn’t even a monkey.
But seriously. Because of this community I’ve been able to meet and interact with so many amazing people. Blez, thank you for that.
Jennifer - October 28, 2008
Yeah, because of AN you were unleashed on us all.
Way to go, Blez.
(I kid because I love)
salb918 - October 29, 2008
Congratulations Blez and All
Raising funds in this economy and with so few companies looking to get bigger rather than smaller is no small feat. It speaks well of the communities you have built and the unique plan set in action nearly five years ago. Glad to be a small part of it.
louismg - October 28, 2008
Free massage therapy for all!
What gaudy bauble will you blow your first check on?
New Areon Chairs? Sensible CSS / HTML templating system?
Congrats
MobiusKlein - October 28, 2008
Almost 5 years old, wow...
Is AN going to have a birthday party? I should start baking now. We’re gonna need a lot of cupcakes.
whiteshoes40 - October 28, 2008
165th wish of congratulations, Blez
Considering the wide range of internet ideas that have come and gone, to have successfully promoted a format that reined in the worst features of internet interaction without flattening the product to meaningless chirps and chit-chat, it is an accomplishment worthy of a book:
“MoneyBlog” by Daniel Day Lewis
;^D ….anyway, fantastic job, don’t kid yourself, no one else could have done it, you have the perfect temperament and work ethic for AthleticsNation, and by extension, SBN.
One won lost won - October 28, 2008
Congrats Blez!
What exactly will become of this money?
WaddellCanseco - October 28, 2008
Every time you post,
you’re entered in a drawing, and then…one lucky blogger…gets it all!
Hot Cup Joe - October 29, 2008
That
devo - October 29, 2008
is
devo - October 29, 2008
interesting ...
devo - October 29, 2008
I
devo - October 29, 2008
need
devo - October 29, 2008
to
devo - October 29, 2008
keep
devo - October 29, 2008
up
devo - October 29, 2008
with
devo - October 29, 2008
PT ...
devo - October 29, 2008
I wanted to make that same joke
But realized it would be a loser on the funny vs annoying balance…
nevermoor - October 29, 2008
AN: putting the "undi" in "funding" since 2003
monkeyball - October 29, 2008
Yeay us!
Seriously, this site was the guinea pig. Heck, even Tyler was a guinea pig. And you guys proved that yup, this could be successful.
And so far, it has been. Past performance is no indication of future results, but I’ve got high hopes.
kos - October 29, 2008
Tyler was a guinea pig. I used to be human.
Now that’s change we can believe in.
monkeyball - October 29, 2008
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