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Changes to SBI Soccer

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If you are a regular visitor to SBI Soccer you may have noticed some recent changes at the site, and it is time to share an update with SBI readers on just what the changes are.

Starting this week, SBI Soccer will return to its original format as a site that features content produced only by me. Going forward you will only see articles, videos and podcasts on SBI Soccer that are written and/or produced by me.

Given that change in approach, I have bid farewell to the editorial staff and wish them well in their future endeavors.

To help you understand the reasoning behind the changes SBI, I have to provide some historical context on the origins of the site. I launched SBI Soccer in 2008 as a soccer blog and independent news site, leaving behind my full-time job as a newspaper reporter believing that the internet was the future. It was a leap of faith, but one I took because I believed I could make it work given my following and track record as a reporter and writer.

The first two years of SBI — known then as Soccer By Ives — consisted largely of me doing all of the writing and reporting and the site enjoyed considerable success and even won some awards. Part of the motivation to launch my own site was to also create a platform to showcase my work. That eventually led to a job offer from Fox Soccer, which I accepted.

The year was 2010, and once I joined Fox Soccer I set about changing SBI into more of a staff-driven site. I built a staff, and worked closely to train and help develop an impressive group of aspiring soccer journalists. The staff went on to produce a plethora of professionals who went on to blossom throughout the industry, establishing SBI as one of the best developers of soccer journalists in the country, boasting an unmatched list of successful alumni.

Fast forward to the present day, a decade later, and I found myself at a crossroads, having spent the past few years working more as an editor, mentor and teacher than actual reporter. My desire to get back to doing what I do best has led to the decision to return SBI to its original setup, with me serving as the site’s sole producer of content.

It was a decision that didn’t come easily due to the connection I have developed over the years with the present-day staff, some staffers who I had spent up to a decade working with. It was a difficult decision, but one I needed to make.

The goal is to take that time I was investing into daily editing and coaching and mentoring and using it to create more and better original content. That means more content from me in the form of more feature articles and exclusive interviews, more breaking news, and the return of video segments and more podcast episodes (and potentially another podcast).

Serving as a mentor and teacher has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, and I will never stop being a mentor and advisor to former SBI writers who seek my advice. I am sure that one day I could find myself taking on a mentoring and editing role, but for the immediate future my focus is on getting back into the groove as a writer and reporter.

It will take me some time to get into the rhythm of producing the volume of content that SBI readers have grown accustomed to, but I will work hard to help SBI Soccer continue to be a site that fans of American soccer can visit for consistent, balanced, professional and original content covering the sport we love.

Comments

  1. Been here since close to the beginning, you have done a great job of putting a site out there to serve soccer in America. Thanks.

    I still owe you a beer and a brat at a tailgate at a Sounders game. Let me know when you are here.

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  2. Thank you Ives, being a loyal fan since the old website which is still up. Look forward to this new phase and many more years.

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  3. Been a fan since you started this thing. I especially love your USMNT content and yanks abroad content too. I know I’ll benefit from you writing again and I truly hope you are long term happier with this too. Thanks!

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  4. Good move! I prefer written material and have come to respect the way you deliver. Look forward to the insight and insider info you will bring.

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  5. I have been visiting this site and commenting since Bob Bradley coached the USMNT in qualifying for WC 2010. Ives analysis has been pretty much spot on over all those years. I look forward to seeing more of the insightful looks at US Soccer that Ives writes.

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  6. Goodness. Thank you for letting us know.
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    We should also say thank you to Larry and Franco and whoever else is leaving. I was not always impressed with their English or their attention to detail, but we all appreciated their efforts and surely wish them well in this second pandemic year.
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    It must be a tough time to completely restructure. Gannett seems to be cutting ruthlessly, to judge from recent editorial carnage at the Austin newspaper, with very little original content left. It’s sad if that also affected SBI.
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    I’m a relatively new reader, more interested in written news and analysis than in video or streaming. I came across the site looking for TV listings, but have since found other better sources that don’t bury the few watchable games among so much streaming in an undifferentiated format. It’s important to me to keep priority coverage of games available to more viewers, on broadcast TV or standard cable as opposed to premium. I would really welcome more critique of American TV coverage of soccer, or lack thereof.
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    I still check the site occasionally for small news items on US players and MLS, but am mainly interested in current USMNT players and recognized teams whose games I can watch. (No, ESPN, _not_ USL, which is a piss-poor replacement for the Bundesliga.) To me the list of players followed overseas could be cut back sharply, perhaps with quarterly updates on others lower down in the ranks, in return for more accurate listings of injuries etc. I also follow players and teams from other countries, evidently not an SBI priority.
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    There don’t seem to be many other women in the SBI discussion, but the slightly increased civility lately might eventually attract more. Thanks also to everyone who was so rudely down on Berhalter for so long, but then managed to admit that he and the younger team did a surprisingly good job this summer. I don’t know either if he’s the best choice for the longer term, but he and the players at least deserve recognition and support from fans for their hard work.
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    For me, SBI has stood out to the extent that it actually tries to respond to readers’ questions and anticipate them, finding angles and stories that are not necessarily covered on larger sites. Certain readers’ contributions (Johnnyrazor and others) also add valuable content.
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    Best of luck to Ives and the whole community going forward — and to Brazil in their game vs. Spain, if that doesn’t jinx them. (-; (On Telemundo now, btw.)
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  7. I welcome more content directly from you, but please don’t burn yourself out. Looking forward to hopefully seeing you and Garrett back together on video!

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  8. You do you, Ives. I did appreciate the original version of this site and I don’t really know what to expect. I was a little off put by the changes a long time ago but ended up coming back, although less so over the years. Very interesting to see you return to your roots. Wishing you the best of luck. First order of business, turn back time and give Landon Donovan that World Cup he was robbed of by that tool. If you can’t do that, just do what you do and I will look forward to reading.

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  9. Been a,follower/reader since inception. Your coming back is good but gotta think this move was more of a “saw what the future held and i wasnt included” kind of a moment. Happy your back but think your painting it a bit rosie0

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  10. Salute! Ives. This answers my question I was going to ask on the Q&A! I’ve only been here since ’16. America’s Abroad articles brought me here, but was suggested to me by someone from England. I was so interested in the content, I didn’t know what SBI meant until the Mickey Mouse FC gave this site credit 5 months ago. Much Respect!!

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  11. Welcome back (again)! Glad to know that you’re taking a more active approach to the website again. Always enjoyed your writing and unique perspective on American soccer. Can we get a Murch store going for real this time though? I really want my SBI mafia original scarf. LOL

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  12. The years of following this site have been great. It’s always been my go to for soccer news. I’ve always enjoyed your perspectives the most. I’ve been oddly proud to see writing alumni on other sites – “hey, cool! That’s another Ives protoge”. But you’ve always been Papa Bear. I’m selfishly excited about this change. I’ve already been amazed at the output. Soccer news is competitive – especially with young punks posting everything you post 2 minutes later on their social media accounts like they are an actual source or something.

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  13. Keep up the good work Ives. I’ve been following you since you were writing for the North Jersey Herald & News!

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  14. Appreciate you and the site! Congratulations on your next step! Even if I’m writing it from the amen corner.

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  15. Congrats Ives! I enjoy the site very much but wonder if and how you will be able to keep up with the amount of US players across the world. Back in 2010 there weren’t that many players outside of the US compared to now so how do you intend to report on MLS, La Liga, The Premier League, Bundesliga and all of the other leagues world wide?

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  16. Been coming here to get my soccer fix for over a decade now. Congrats on the website and its growth. Always great articles and love the commentary and discussions with fellow old timers here. Look forward to the future of the site.

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