I fancy myself as somewhat of a journalism snob.
I think journalism should come from journalists. I think fans should be fans and journalists should be journalists.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been asked what my favorite NFL team is. I always answer by saying “I don’t have one. I cover the sport.” It may not be fun and it may be stuffy, but I simply always thought professional journalism and fandom are two different things.
Yet, as I celebrate my 28th year in the business this month with the founding of my first site that I actually have a piece of the pie, I’m breaking my own rule.
I loved Ken Stabler.
So, I must admit: It’s beyond thrilling to present RaidersSnakepit.com.
A portion of the proceeds of our site will go directly to the XOXO Stabler Foundation. The foundation is run by Snake’s oldest daughter, Kendra Stabler-Moyes. Here is how you subscribe to RaidersSnakepit.com.
The first time I broke my non-fanboy rule was with Kendra and her two sisters. I met with them two years ago this week in Scottsdale, Arizona for a feature I was doing on their father’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy, which of course, culminated with his enshrinement a year after his death at the age of 69. I told them their dad was my favorite athlete when I was a kid in the Bay Area. I felt weird saying it because I never told an interview subject anything like that. But it was Snake’s kids. And it was the truth.
Fast forward to today, I’m so proud about this partnership.
The 12-year-old me, would have passed out if you told him he would take on this project all these years later. Me and the Stabler Foundation, no way?
Fanboy-ish? Sure. Why not? Times are changing. Journalism has changed.
That’s why me and my partner, Steve Corkran – a longtime Raiders’ reporter — are embarking on this journey. Frankly, the journalism industry sucks.
It seems a week doesn’t go by without a news outlet laying off several employees or even companies simply going out of business. In less than three years, I’ve been laid off three times. Three. It’s brutal.
But it’s also OK.
After some serious soul searching, I decided I don’t want to leave this business. I don’t want to sell insurance or go back to school. I’m good at one thing – and that’s writing, reporting and talking about the NFL.
So, I’m sticking with it. And I’m doing it here.
With the industry dying, there is still a zest for it from the public. Yet, the business decision makers can’t figure out how to make it work.
We have at RaidersSnakepit.com. We are going to present you professional, experienced, top-shelf Raiders’ coverage from two sources you are accustomed to reading. We are presenting RaidersSnakepit.com as independent journalists. It’s our rules. We won’t write what some out-of-touch editor wants. We won’t offer boring packages because it may look good.
You will still get the hard-hitting writing, podcasts and chats. But we’re own bosses. We think you will like the way RaidersSnakepit.com is presented.
Of course, the fact that we are now independent means we need to provide our own funding. That’s why RaidersSnakepit.com is a subscription site. While you are used to getting your online journalism for free, you really haven’t. You deal with annoying ads.
We won’t have much of that stuff on our site and on our podcasts. Your subscription covers all the ads.
We think you will find the prices reasonable. You can get a year’s subscription to all that we have for $59.99. So, basically for the cost of your favorite beer, we have you covered every month. And we promise to give you a longer lasting buzz.
The business is changing, so the way we will present our work will change differently as well. But the product won’t suffer. RaidersSnakepit.com will give you want you need.
Plus, it benefits a great cause, honoring the greatest name in team history. Thanks for jumping on for the ride.
By the way, this is the first site powered by RaiderBeat. It is a growing host network for writers who want to strike out on their own. They provide the necessary tools and support for RaidersSnakepit.com to thrive. RaiderBeat is always looking to build the network.
Good luck to you, Bill. As a fellow sportswriter who has also been laid off three times in the previous five years, I will be rooting for you and your site. (My own, on the NBA, AmicoHoops.net, is serving same purpose in my own life.) Great stuff and will undoubtedly support. Best – Sam A.
Thanks so much, Sam. Best of luck to you.
Kenny Stabler was my larger than life hero. As a 10 year old boy I dreamed of wanting to be the next Kenny Stabler. I was upset that God made me right handed. He was John Wayne and Steve McQueen combined in a gun-slinging QB for our Oakland Raiders. Kudos to you both to take this passion and turn it into a positive for society. . I wish you the best of luck and look forward to reading more Raider news!
Thanks so much.
Just subscribed since I respect your take on the good/bad/ugly of my favorite team. Been a listener of your Locked On podcasts. Bonus in helping a charity. Well done and good luck!
Thanks, Robert.
You still can’t say you are a raiders fan. I love you and cork, but I read tafur more because I trust as a journalist, he can be honest AND a fan. Raiders fans do not like kawakami no matter how well or objective he is, because he like you, comes off like he hates the raiders. I may subscribe and I may not. If I do, it’s because I believe Steve is a raider fan, and you are still a Broncos beat writer looking to slam the Raiders once again.
This is not a fan site. It is a professional journalism site. Thanks for reading, BW.
Great stuff. To me this just means less bs and more honest Raider stuff. And that is freeking awesome.
Will be signing up.
Just so you are aware, Norton is questioning the security of the subscription part of the site.
Thanks, I’ll look into it. But we are secure. Thanks, BW.
Just subscribed. Site looks good. This may be the way we get our Raider or sport info from now on. In depth, professional reporting about subjects that interest us, not the advertising company controlling the content. Looking forward to an interesting year of Raider Football!! Thanks Bill and Steve!!
Hello, RaiderAllen,
Thanks for the compliment. Yes, that’s our intention, to provide straightforward coverage, without any of the lies, spin and coachspeak that is so commonplace in what comes from coaches and players these days. We will tell it like it is, without being beholden to anyone.
Thank you Raiderallen. That’s the idea.
Just posted your article on our Raider site to help spread the word. Always loved reading your and Corks articles. Good stuff. Best of luck moving forward. I’ll be subscribing shortly. Keep up the great articles.
Thanks, William. That’s nice of you to do. We want everyone to know that we’re here and ready to roll.
Cork
Thank you Raiderallen. That’s the idea.
Thanks for the candor Bill. Risk and opportunity are always intertwined. You have always put out quality work IMO and I’m happy to support you and Cork in this new endeavor. Signing up now 😉
Good luck and Go Raiders!
Thanks, David.
I have been looking for some “professional journalism” about the Raiders situation, but have not found it.
A few years ago, when Davis came on strong about wanting to leave Oakland, a professional journalist would have
noted that Oakland-Alameda, only 20 years ago, paid nearly $200 million to remodel the Oakland Coliseum to the specifications and demands of Al Davis. Sadly, Al’s spoiled brat son Mark felt no obligation to do the right thing and support Oakland.
The irony here is that Mark’s planned move of the Raiders to Las Vegas will likely cost him his controlling ownership position of the Raiders. Mark’s done what his father refused to do, that is assume the risk of financial debt. Al knew that was the one factor which threatened his ownership of the team, and he did not want to take that risk.
Forbes magazine annual articles about team valuations are complete nonsense. The true value of a team is revealed when a team changes ownership. A potential new owner of the Raiders would certainly pay more for the team located in the lucrative SF Bay Area market rather than the very small, relatively low income demographic Las Vegas market. Also, a potential new NFL owner would prefer the flexibility of new stadium options which the Oakland Coliseum offered. This is far more valuable than the multi decade contractual agreement the Raiders have signed for Las Vegas.
A “professional journalist” would understand the multitude of reasons that a move to Las Vegas will not increase the Raiders value. Actually, the move decreases the amount a new owner might pay for the team. My point will be proved within the next year, once it becomes clear that Las Vegas PSL sales revenues, stadium naming rights etc… do not bring Mark and the Raiders enough money to pay their debt obligations. At that time Bank of America, Mark’s primary lender, will work with the NFL to clean up the mess Mark Davis has made an install a competent and capable owner for the Raiders.
I was so excited to discover the Snake Pit this morning. I look forward to your exclusive first rate coverage this year. I know there will be plenty to cover. The fact that some of the proceeds of your endeavor go to Ken Stabler’s foundation is the cherry on top. He was the best. Thanks guys.
Thanks much, Roy.
Thanks, Roy. Your comment makes my day. We are here for the diehard fans, to tell the truth at every turn and to support the Stabler Foundation.
Thank you, Roy.
Tell it like it is Cork and Bill! Always been a fan of reading your stuff. Won’t be a fan of the Raiders once they leave. Like TruthMan posted earlier, Mark Davis has set the domino’s falling on his ownership. This incompetent fool has let greed, not the well being of the raiders, make one foolish mistake after another. Hopefully, a miracle happens, Vegas blows up in Davis’ face, and you can really have a story to write about!
Thanks, Dave,
If you want the truth, go read the article I just posted. It gives context to the relationship among Mark Davis, Reggie McKenzie and Jon Gruden, and what that means now that they are together. Keep the feedback coming.
Cork
Dave Halcon,
You got it ! “Dominos falling” is exactly what Mark Davis has set in motion.
Sadly, the pretend reporters out there, guys like Joe Blowriggo and his pal Scott Winter, babbling on Persicope and cluttering up Twitter with their nonsense in the hopes of being hired by the Raiders, are spreading misinformation. And the mainstream media is not much better, just writing sensationalized puff pieces. I’ve never heard of the two guys who started this blog, but my guess is that they are looking to make a buck off the Raiders as well. So far their “articles” are simply a rehash of old news and pollyanna speculation. If they want to attract paying subscribers they will need to write stories of substance.
A true journalist would be telling the real story , and that is the systematic financial destruction of the Raiders that Mark Davis has orchestrated.
Two of my favorite Raiders writers in one place? I count me in. Any chance Cork might resurrect the AMA Fridays he used to do?
Hello, Scott, and thanks for the nice words. You better believe that we’re going to have our live chats, Cork’s Couch and freewheeling sessions once again. Thanks for your support.
Bill- have the podcasts started yet and I’ve missed them , or not yet ? Long time listner . Love the color , details, and objectivity .
Thanks !
Dave, the podcast is on Suncloud for now and on my Twitter timeline. Thanks.
Dave, the podcast is on Suncloud for now and on my Twitter timeline. Thanks.
Cork,
My comments in the leave a reply section are all awaiting moderation. Did I do something? Banned? Take a look please. Thank you.
Not that I am aware of. I am manually approving your comments right now, as I delve into the matter. Thanks for pointing it out. Love your comments.
Cork
Thank you. Your the best.
I think it might be the 4 letter word I typed in the tuck rule game thread.
Nah, it has something to do with the way the comments approval is set up right now. I am working on it. We’ll get there. Just put up a new post. Enjoy, and keep the feedback coming.
Cork
Still happening. Tried yesterday with same result. Waited to try again this am, same thing.
Just wanted to let you know.
A few weeks in and I just want to say thank you for this site. Nothing short of spectacular. And having two sides to many of the stories is wonderful. Gives us plenty of perspective.
So worth the subscription price. I would pay that just for the chats.
Bill, you and Cork have been awesome. I hope this takes off and is a huge success for both of you and us!
Btw, just wanted to ask, saw it in a couple places, has Callahan been hired or no? I am sure you working on a story by now if he is.
Thanks again!
Thanks so much. Yes, Callahan. We expressed our thoughts on it when he was interviewed and today’s podcast covers it as well. Thanks again.
I have always respected both of your work. Despised Bill because he covered the Broncos and then the AFC West division, but always found the coverage insightful. Steve is the godfather of Raiders coverage and was a great baseball coach back in the day. After 15 years of our kids in sports and possibly 40 coaches over that time, Cork was a super coach and a quality person that earned the top 10 list. Great karma here and best of luck with the site, gentlemen.
Right on, Erwin.
Greetings, I was raised in the deep South, in the 1960s onward. . I’ve been a Rabid RAIDER , ever since I first watched them play, *I was smack dab in the heart of ‘dull fins’ country. Then my dear Uncle Joe Abrell, was hired by Joe Robbie, to be an executive in the .Miami’s front office. * I digress. .*Point Being , I’m a grandpa now and ex-child defense attorney , and from the 37 year Raider tattoo , Over my heart .to my son, also an attorney for kids And Huge Raider fan , I want to thank All involved with your website , and I sincerely hope, Y’aLL are around , long after I arrive in Valhalla!! I will continue recruiting fans from Seattle to San Diegp to Miami n NYC , etc.
About the Great work y’all have done. ( my confirmed.# of new subscribers is 5 + + myself) *There are Thousands of “US”, in Seattle alone!! AnyWho. . that sure was alot of words Just to say “Thank both of Y’aLL, Very much!! ? Most Sincerely, Rosco Randall E. *GODSPEED*
Thank you much, sir.
Just subscribed and love the insight about by favorite team this far. These next couple months are some of the more interesting of the NFL year in my opinion and I look forward to inside knowledge of FA and the draft from you two. Keep up the excellent work!
Appreciate it, Yosemite.
Hi Bill,
I am loving the site. Thank you so much for this!! This is exactly what I have been craving. I hesitated at first because it was a subscription site. But it is money well spent. No regurgitated articles or copied and pasted. I find myself constantly Looking for the next article to post. I can’t imagine how addicted I will be once the news picks up. You and Steve are doing an awesome job!! I am having a couple issues with the site and was wondering how I could contact someone to see if it could get fixed. I did not want to post that here though.
Thanks for the kind words. info@raiderbeat.com
Look at that top pic……must be a relative of Jamarcus Russell. “Sippin on some sizzurp…”