Would you pay for MHR?

by denver_diaspora on Oct 31, 2009 1:50 PM MDT Comment 47 comments

With all of the hubbub and banter about the decline of print media, and the apparent rise of the premium site for broncos news, comment, and opinion, i wonder something.

via api.ning.com

Would I pay to get what I receive from MHR?

When I think about the depth of analysis, the range of views, the access to opinion, what i have on MHR is unparalled to almost any other information source on any topic, let alone football or Denver Broncos football.

One thing that jumps out to me that pushes MHR over the top is the depth and quality of interaction- some newspaper sites have a "comments" section, which many of you know becomes little more than an elementary school playground too closely resembling a night around an oakland raider fan's dinner table.

So would I pay, if necessary, for this content? and what if, by paying for content, we could fund a few press passes, maybe travel fees, for some of our writers/photographers to ask the burning questions smoldering throughout MHR of the coaches and players. It was great to read the first hand accounts from training camp- imagine that on a weekly basis during the regular season!

Poll

woud you pay, and how much, for the goods and services rendered here at MHR?

No, Denver Post is enough.

110 votes

Yes, $1-$3 / month

43 votes

Yes, $4-$8 / month

24 votes

Yes, $9+ / month

4 votes

181 votes | Poll has closed

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

0 recs | Comment 47 comments

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Comments

i guess

“would you pay for DPP and not MHR” is also a question that shoulda been on the poll.

"I just looked across the huddle to see the guys in the huddle with me: great offensive line, great talent at wide receiver, great tight ends, great running backs. If we execute and play the way that we should, it should be tough to stop us."
-K.O.

by denver_diaspora on Oct 31, 2009 1:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

if there were a fee there would be a whole hell of a lot less people here, which would mean much less content, which would mean it would not be the same as it is now.

anyways we do pay for it already in the form of commercials (redzone, sprint, etc)

by Pierre Coghill on Oct 31, 2009 1:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I will NEVER pay for the DP...

Thats like paying to slam your own head in a car door…makes no sense.
I would pay for MHR…but dont get any ideas Bena!!!

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
All I want is 53 Rod Smiths. Is that asking too much????
"Peyton Hillis didn’t rip the sleeves off his jersey, they flew off out of fear."
Calijoefornia.

by boydy2669 on Oct 31, 2009 1:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I would be ok for the option of an optional donation to make MHR's job easiar and maybe add new things.

by Calibroncoboy on Oct 31, 2009 2:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting....

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 31, 2009 2:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

hmmmmmm

pretty good question. lots of worms in the can, so to speak.

but how is Bill Williamson going to make a living over @ ESPN when you guys start charging him for his articles ?

by Jenna Talia on Oct 31, 2009 2:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

don't think so

I love MHR and I would pay for it today. But I would’ve never got to this point of my appreciation of MHR if I had to pay for it first.

by si_ice on Oct 31, 2009 2:55 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

agree

John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)

by Joe Medina on Oct 31, 2009 3:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

so true

by BRONCOFAN1 on Oct 31, 2009 3:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always been an advocate of the "FREE" press...heh heh...

One thing for sure, if I had to pay for the DP or DB.com then I wouldn’t be reading them. There are too many other sources out there that are free, so it doesn’t make sense to pay for anything, other than DSL.

by bfree2bronc on Oct 31, 2009 3:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Part of the attraction for MHR is that we don't charge.

1. We (all of us, members and staff) work hard to make this a quality site. We’ll put our work up against anyone.

2. As if quality isn’t enough, we provide a better service, and it is FREE. That combo can’t be beat.

3. As if better quality and f-r-e-e isn’t enough, we provide a friendly environment, not found on the hate boards of the old media sites.

4. Besides being friendly, we talk “football”. Our comments sections feature the sharpest minds with the sharpest questions and answers.

5. And we educate. We don’t throw around big terms and talk down to newer members. We provide an education ranging from team and player history, to Xs and Os and terminology.

Would I pay to get the content at MHR? I don’t know. The nice thing is, we have folks that put the site up for the love of the team, the game, and each other. In other words, you don’t even have to think about paying. We have advertisers who are kind enough to foot some bills, but we were up and running even before they came along. (By the way, supporting our advertisers supports the word on the street that MHR is the place for businesses to send their advertising dollars to).

Is it WORTH paying for? You bet. Is anyone going to have to worry about it? No, at least not under John’s leadership. As long as SBN continues to let us operate the way we’ve been going, we’ll outperform the competition, and do it for less than a penny a lifetime.

Formerly known as HoosierTeacher or just HT.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Oct 31, 2009 3:12 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

There isn't any sbn site better than MHR and I have looked at them all.

There is more informational writers here than anywhere. Great job all.

by bfree2bronc on Nov 1, 2009 1:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

no -

I love all the regular contributors, but what makes this really special are the fans that freely contribute their own thoughts. All of the contributors have a passion for the Broncos, if some started getting paid for thier passion something would get lost in the translation

by Flunkie on Oct 31, 2009 3:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I would donate to an MHR Fund

If John ever needed help getting press passes or anything of the like I wuld definately help him obtain it for MHR, that goes without question!

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Oct 31, 2009 3:35 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't.

I’m a broke college student. If we had to start paying for membership here, I don’t think I would do it. Sure, this is a vital part to my day, but if it starts to cost me money, I wouldn’t be able to keep coming .

Fortunately, John doesn’t look like he’s going to make MHR that way.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 31, 2009 3:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I refuse to pay for somebody's opinion, especially regarding football

That is no dis on all of the opinions and analysis available at MHR, which are of course some of the best available. Shoot, I can barely afford the beer I drink during the games, I don’t think I can handle another Bronco related expenditure.

On a related note, is anyone here going to pay the DP’s fee? I encourage all MHR faithful to apply a full boycott, it’s not like you will be missing out on any significant data.

"It's the first time that I've probably ever seen a 260 pound back run into a free safety and go flat on his back, I mean it was exciting." ~John Elway

by jibbons on Oct 31, 2009 3:36 PM MDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

It should be understood that the value of MHR comes from it's content.

It would create expectations of whether you are receiving your money’s worth and would drive many members away who cannot afford the fee. The exclusivity created also diminishes the free interchange of ideas and research which currently exists. I do not pay for any exclusive service in sports media except for the red zone which has tremendous value for the cost. I would not have found MHR nor would I have joined under different circumstances and I believe we would both be poorer as a result. The dialogue I have been able to have on this site has been tremendous and I would greatly miss it. However, I would not pay for this site which has nothing to do with it’s monetary value, but rather my philosophy of free speech.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein

by Ponderosa on Oct 31, 2009 3:39 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Donations.. that would be the only way it would be possible..

.. like Piere said you would have a lot less people here if you had to pay.

I like that it’s free but if there where options for more insider coverage and that could be provided with some site donations i would consider it.. but honestly the staff here do a great without that access and i am thankful for all the work they put in here!

by HorseStance on Oct 31, 2009 3:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

a store

I would pay, but I would also pay more if you had some MHR shirts, coffee mugs I could buy which the profits would go to the site. I don’t like donations as much because to me it can sometimes feel like pandering. Let it be the choice of those who would love to wear MHR proudly whose $4 profit would go to the site.

Then maybe a bake sell with carnival rides? ok, maybe I’m getting carried away. :)

by BroncoInExile on Oct 31, 2009 3:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

great idea!

i agree.

not so much pay so that the mhr could make a living doing it, but that it could afford some of the guys who put so much into it a few more resources.

i see the terrible questions often asked by so many reporters and wish we could get some of this intelligent discourse into some of those pressers. and if i had an opportunity to support that? id go for it.

that said, i dont mind that this is free. in fact, it feels like a huge steal (ESPECIALLY in light of the denver post charging for its info.

by denver_diaspora on Oct 31, 2009 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

I dont read the post. I wont pay for espn insider. I dont care about paying for anything on the web. I lover this site, but not for a fee. What brought this up anyway? Man . . .

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Oct 31, 2009 5:23 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it is related to the Denver Post going to being a full paying site

"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."

"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams

by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 31, 2009 8:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i never paid for the post when I lived in Denver

sure wont pay to read that crap they print, but at least I wont have to read the comments.I know I shouldnt but its like an accident I have to look

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 2, 2009 4:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah-

i brought it up for 2 reasons-

DP going to a pay for content model, and just wanting to se how MHR members felt if this truly premium site did the same…

and the idea of guru et al having press capabilities, and the means to getting there.

not advocating that MHR be a paid for thing, just pondering.

by denver_diaspora on Nov 1, 2009 9:29 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

didnt hear that

I dont read the post that often, too much ignorance throughout the entire fishwrap.
I was just wondering what brought it up, hope I didnt come off rude I was just curious where the thought came from

somethings wrong, Trying to conquer these fears i thought were gone. And it's been so long, I'm dying to live in a world i don't belong

by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 2, 2009 4:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

no worries!

by denver_diaspora on Nov 3, 2009 10:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Would I take money for this?

No. I like this as it is.

Moreno/Buckhalter in '09

by Emmett Smith on Oct 31, 2009 5:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Internet content is meant to be free....

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 31, 2009 6:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd never pay for MHR...

well, I would now that I know what its like – but when I first showed up, hell no. I am a cheap bastard!

If you guys want to “pay” for MHR…click on the advertisements. That’s really the best way to help John keep expanding and improving MHR overall.

Besides, paying money for MHR would destroy the entire premise of this website. It is a PLATFORM for fans to share their opinion and fandom. Some of the best posts are written by the fans…

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

The guy formerly known as ZAPPA

by Tim Lynch on Oct 31, 2009 6:40 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

the dialogue among the fans is one of the biggest drawing points for the sites.

I’m not sure how many of us would be willing to pay for the chance to express our opinions.

"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It

by BShrout on Oct 31, 2009 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do pay...theoretically

Having quality content and a great group of core contributors is the reason why so many people continue to visit MHR. As these numbers increase, the value of those collective users to advertisers goes up…thus we pay for MHR by the time we spend here. The currency is the consumption of ads we view during our visits here.

by captain80 on Oct 31, 2009 7:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

True. In that sense, I am paying an awful lot. I spend forever on here. lol

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by kentuckybronco on Oct 31, 2009 7:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent point captain

And the time we spend here — long long hours, day after day — is pretty compelling to advertisers, I’m sure. That’s real value, and I hope John and SB Nation are getting a good return on it.

I love the idea of merchandise (have you guys checked out cafepress.com?) and a donation bucket to buy John a cheeseburger every now and then.

Admittedly, bills must be paid and SB Nation isn’t really providing the infrastructure as a charity to impoverished fans. But ultimately, what draws me here is the passion of the people that contribute. We’re here because we’re obsessed with the Denver Broncos. We’re vocal. We listen. We feed off each other. And to our great fortune, we are lucky enough to be amongst many brilliant football minds, historical minds, and statistical minds, those who are both compelled and generous enough to share their bottomless experience and dalliances with the ol’ Xs and Os to the benefit of ALL Bronco fans.

And considering all that we get in return, well … it’s pretty difficult to affix a price on the truly priceless. ; )

Conversation nonstarters: hoping McDaniels fails, comparing Bears to Broncos, Cutler to Orton, apples to oranges, and casual drinkers to Raiders fans.

by broncosmontana on Oct 31, 2009 7:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you have a point there.

Unless I am on vacation, I am here every day. I just can’t get enough of MHR.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Oct 31, 2009 9:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha

i cant get away even on vacation!

by denver_diaspora on Nov 1, 2009 9:31 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I would not pay

I dont like the MSM opions but i LOVE the fans opinions. Thats what makes MHR so great. Having to pay would ruin this site. Loook D. Snyder of the redskins bought a redskins site ant it has when DUMB. I hope it never happens. I pay for my internet service thats enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

live and die blue and orange

by jerry251 on Oct 31, 2009 8:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I would pay

however I totally agree with you that the fact that this site is free is what makes it so much better than any MSM news. It would ruin the site.

2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant

by weazel on Oct 31, 2009 9:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I second most of the views here

I don’t pay for any sites, just my internet service. It annoys me with sites like Rivals and Scout where you have to pay to get certain info. Now I will support those who advertise on this site to the best of my ability because I think that is a better revenue stream than a handful of fans paying for a site.

I also don’t pay for the Denver Post or any newspaper for that matter.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman

by Broncoman on Oct 31, 2009 9:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

According to Mark Lloyd

The FCC “diversity” Czar, we will all be paying to read only the “approved” contents allowed by our “Great Leader” and those who know best in Washington, D.C..

Control of media is rule #2 behind control of education. Ask Hugo and Fidel.

I don’t mean to get political here, but I keep hearing about control of the internet and all forms of media. Being that I am in a position to know, just a warning to everyone. I like to joke, but this is no joke. This is totally serious.

Make those miracles happen - Jon Keyworth

by IgorBStrange on Oct 31, 2009 9:38 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

If you don’t mean to get political, then don’t.

formerly known around these parts as nycbroncosfan

by Douglas A. Lee on Nov 1, 2009 7:41 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh...

"Change is inevitable - except from vending machines."

by EastCoastBronco on Nov 1, 2009 9:13 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

political or not...

oversight and control over this media form (by any administration) is certainly in our future.

it is a reality that one day, (as we now see with cable…) nothing we access or submit will go without some control from our government.

by denver_diaspora on Nov 1, 2009 9:33 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

wow...i dont get it

ummmmm…why are you asking this…like…i kinda come to mhr…but not always…and i guess im a ditz…but its not like i remember lots of those totally brainiac posts from you….so whats the point of asking the question

just sayin

MHR...and proud of it!

by MHRsGirl on Oct 31, 2009 9:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

not a brainiac kind of guy

i was reading a post in another thread mentioning press passes, and it got me thinking. how would i get the passes into the hands of people who’s opinions i actually respect?

and because my bird and my wife dont offer a huge variety of opinions (and neither frequent MHR) i decided to set my thoughts on the table.

plus it has been a really long bye week, no?

by denver_diaspora on Nov 1, 2009 9:36 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Another revenue model to consider

I concur with earlier comments that what makes this site so worthwhile is the number and diversity of opinions, which would likely suffer with a mandatory subscription fee. I also appreciate the staff members who weighed in saying they view their efforts as a labor of love — we don’t thank them often enough. And this community is too valuable to go monkeying around with a winning formula unless there is an absolute necessity to do so.

However, should John and team ever decide they need a small capital infusion to make things better or keep things going, I suggest considering the NPR/public TV periodic subscription drive model, soliciting contributions from those willing and able to pay, but keeping access open. Yes, it annoys the heck out of me when the local NPR station starts into their semi-annual pitch for bucks. But I also send them a small check whenever I can afford it, so they can keep offering the programming I enjoy, but can’t get anywhere else on the radio dial. I suspect the same thing would happen here: 15% – 20% of the regular visitors would probably pony up a few bucks to keep this site as strong as it is or to make it better. And it wouldn’t shut out those who chose not to pay.

I also really like the idea of an MHR store. But that would require capital to get it going.

by DCbroncfan on Nov 1, 2009 5:12 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Superb Idea

I am all for putting money in the hands of the staff here to get deeper access to Dove Valley. Also, I have no problem with the writers here making a paycheck for their efforts. It speaks volumes about them that so many of them are speaking up here and saying they neither need nor want money. But I would have no problem sending a small portion of my hard earned money to this site to improve it’s content. I think your idea of “fund drives” like NPR does would be the best way to do this combined with an MHR store. Demanding money would put a huge hurt on this site. But I think a good percentage of us here would gladly send $5 every 3 months or something. Particularly if it meant more access to Dove Valley and player/coach interviews on MHR Radio. That would be sweeeeeeeeet….

"Change is inevitable - except from vending machines."

by EastCoastBronco on Nov 1, 2009 9:18 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

MHR is a great forum....BUT

Charging $$ would result in loss of fanbase, which results in loss of ideas/perspectives. This creates less debate supported by individual opinion and innovation. Unfortunately in our case “Less is not more”. We need bigger base, not smaller. Retraction/reduction is not novel, it’s just regressive. This fan forum HAS to be progressive, or it would not continue be all it has become. Stay the course Guru! You got a great thing going! Love this site!

"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM

by Hogblog on Nov 1, 2009 6:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

love the NPR fundraiser idea...

with the goal in mind of being able to access more and closer information. i completely agree that making this a must-pay site would most likely drive a lot of “lurkers” away. and i, as many of you did too, started out as a lurker. only after i had time to really see the disparity between what i found on MHR and what the other sources farted out daily did i become a full fledged MHR JUNKY.

i guess i fear losing some access to the information that many paid reporters gain as sites start to track and charge for the information they post.

by denver_diaspora on Nov 1, 2009 9:41 AM MST reply actions 0 recs