SB Nation Shutting Down Several Fan Sites
By Kyle Koster
A handful of SB Nation fan sites have announced they are being shuttered on September 30th, which marks the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2022. Part of Vox Media, SB Nation bills itself as "the largest independent sports media brand," with "over 300 fan-centric team communities."
Impacted by the decision are Cowboys Ride For Free, which covers Oklahoma State, For Whom the Cowbell Tolls, focused on Mississippi State, Big East Coast Bias, and Team Speed Kills, an SEC-focused site. Against All Enemies, covering the service academies, also said it is being sunset.
We have received word that as of September 30th, Cowboys Ride For Free will be terminated. We appreciate all of the support over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed being a place for you to get your OSU news! Much love.
— Cowboys Ride For Free (@CowboysRFF) August 29, 2022
Big East Coast Bias is being shuttered.
— Big East Coast Bias (@becb_sbn) August 29, 2022
This was a decision made by people above us late last week.
We are deeply disappointed by this decision, as we were looking forward to what would have been our 10th season of coverage since the Big East's reformation in 2013-14.
Team Speed Kills is being shuttered.
— Team Speed Kills (@TeamSpeedKills) August 30, 2022
TSK would like to thank @BecomingBrandon leading the charge for so very long and helping it become a popular blog on this sphere prior to the transition I took from him in 2016.
Thanks for all the memories, sometimes it did just mean more.
This site for 6 years has been a part of me. For others, it’s been a part of them for so much longer.
— For Whom the Cowbell Tolls (@mstatesports) August 30, 2022
Today, we learned it won’t be a part of anyone’s lives much more. SBNation has shut us down, effective end of September
Indeed, we have tough news to deliver.
— Against All Enemies (@AAE_SBN) August 30, 2022
In a few weeks, Against All Enemies will no longer publish. SB Nation has decided to sunset the site.
This would’ve been our fifth season covering Service Academy football. We’ve loved every second of it. Thank you, readers.
🇺🇸🫡 🏈
Other sites have announced they will continue.
Hey everyone, James here. We've had several inquiries about the status of HB in light of the recent SB Nation team blog movement.
— Hustle Belt (@HustleBelt) August 30, 2022
After talking with the brass this afternoon, I can positively reassure everyone that HB will continue to provide the coverage you know and love!
unfortunately for you, dear reader, we survived the sb nation red wedding
— The Smoking Musket (@smokingmusket) August 30, 2022
While the model of hiring thousands of young, hungry writers to produce content has yielded some less-than-ideal conditions over the years, it has also afforded many an opportunity they otherwise would not have been able to maximize. SB Nation's fan sites are rife with success stories, some who have expressed their frustration with the decision that will result in these sites' writers not being able to follow a similar path.