Get updates by RSS
Update #4: The End of the Beginning of the End of the Beginning
We'll keep this one short and sweet. The Classical has been funded and then some. The site will exist, and we'll get to bring you the kind of writing we think smart folks actually want to read. Thank all of you, now and forever.
We've been hard at work on laying the foundation, and ironing out the details, necessary to make The Classical exactly what we promised it would be. You gave us your hard-earned cash so we could deliver the best product possible. Coming out with something half-assed, or misleading, would be counter to the spirit that brought us all here in the first place.
If you're interested in pitching us, email thisistheclassical at gmail dot com. If you had an unusual incentives situation, such as a bonus signed copy of The Undisputed Guide, drop us a reminder.
Most importantly, if you're having problems with your payment, let us know, and we'll try and help you sort it out. We want to deliver the goods, but to do that, we need your pledges to come through.
We might be quiet for the next couple of weeks, but you know where to find us.
Update #3: You guys are the best. Seriously.
Dear friends of The Classical,
We had an earlier draft of this update for Monday, talking about how we're getting close to the finish line and how we're relying on you guys to help us spread the word to the remote corners of the Internet that hadn't yet heard about our mission.
But then we—or more accurately, you—did something extraordinary. You took us past our $50,000 goal on Sunday, ten days before our drive ends. The Classical is going to be a reality, starting later this fall. After a few rounds of cheerful, expletive-spackled e-mails and G-chats, we all realized that now we get to do some real work: building an amazing, intelligent sports site.
This is really, really exciting. We couldn't have gotten to our goal with out the 970-some backers who have helped us out. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. Our first order of business: manufacturing and distributing chip clips and other official Classical gear. Second: We owe our backers one (1) awesome sports website. Luckily for all of you, that's where we're Vikings.
But in the meantime, we still have nine days left after today. We'd love to climb a bit higher before September 29—every dollar we can collect beyond the $50K goal will help us be better, sooner. We'd love to crack the 1,000-backer mark, and there might even be a special gift in it for the lucky 1,000th backer. Keep your eyes on Twitter and Facebook, and keep spreading the word.
If you need us, we'll be placing phone calls to leading chip-clip manufacturers about sourcing some organic, cruelty-free plastic and natural dyes for the 650+ clips we need to make. And keep sending us your feedback and article pitches on thisistheclassical@gmail.com.
We love you all,
The Classical
-
-
Ryan Koo on September 19
You guys are going to hit 1,000 easy! For all the great writing you've done over the years, you all deserve so much more -- if only good writing paid as much as, you know, downloadable ringtones. Very much looking forward to the site!
-
Update #2: The Classical: The Wallpaper
A three-day weekend is making eyes at us from across the room. Before everyone disappears for Labor Day, we want to update you on doings in and around The Classical. 18 days down, and 27 left. More than 650 people have backed us to the tune of $32,500 and change. We’re in awe of your generosity! We’re getting close to the home stretch. And, not for the last time, THANK YOU ALL.
Lest you think we’ve just been anxiously watching the Kickstarter jar fill up, we have a present for you. Friend-of-the-Classical Jacob Weinstein drew an amazing wallpaper for us. RIYL soccer-playing skeletons, an alligator in a football helmet, weaponized hot dogs, or just great art. Thanks, Jacob! Download the screensavers here.
Help us spread the word about the site and the Kickstarter drive. Tell your friends, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, make like those college kids from Children International and accost passers-by. Okay, not that last one. Happy Labor Day, everyone!
Update #1: We love you
Dear friends of the Classical,
We promised ourselves that we wouldn't abuse the Kickstarter update feature. But going into day ten of our campaign to raise $50,000 for our publication, it's time to say something. First of all, to our 492 and counting supporters who donated, THANK YOU 493+ times. We've raised $23,053, which is stupendous. We're on a pace to hit our goal and then some. Your support means the world to us, and we plan to repay you in barter. What we're going to bring to the table is smart, funny, and sophisticated sports writing, every single day.
The warm response we've received, both in the blogosphere and the media, was stupefyingly great. Thanks to the Village Voice, Sportsgrid, Deadspin, the New York Observer, the Cutline, Nieman Journalism Lab and many others for spreading the word. Keep your eyes out for more of our corporate propaganda.
Second, we want to share a raft of good news. We're very proud to announce we've added a new staff member since launch. Kate Perkins joins us as an associate editor, having edited for n+1, Verso Books, and a host of other fine publications. Her sports of choice are the NBA (or the Turkish league, if the lockout doesn't end) and tennis, and we are thrilled to have her on board. Welcome aboard, Kate!
The good news cannot be contained in one small paragraph, though. We're going to roll out a sneak preview of some of the folks who will be contributing to the Classical once we get rolling, starting with three names: Jonathan Lethem, Mark Jacobson, and David Samuels. What will they be writing about? You'll have to throw some cash in our Kickstarter jar to find out, but there's a possibility that one of them will be covering jiu jitsu for us. Stay tuned to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more announcements about who will be joining us as contributors.
We want to throw open the mic for feedback, too. What do you guys want to read about on the site? What don't you want to see? Are there any incentives we could add to the Kickstarter campaign that would get you to cash in your Berkshire Hathaway stock and ante up? Do you want to write for us? Hit us with pitches on Kickstarter's message system, or drop us a line at thisistheclassical@gmail.com. And one last plea: tell your friends, retweet, re-Facebook, post cryptic photocopied sheets of Mark E. Smith's lyrics in your office break room. We will love you back so much it'll kind of freak you out.
-
-
Ethan Stanislawski on August 25
Just an FYI I'm pretty sure you'll be fired if you post the lyrics to the Mark E Smith song "The Classical" in your office break room.
-
The Classical on August 25
That's a decent point, Ethan. Everyone: use whiteout (no pun intended) or a different song.
-
1,070
Backers
$55,598
pledged of $50,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 29.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
You get a sticker of our elite Jacob Weinstein-designed, masculine-yet-tender orange-and-black logo. No one leaves this fundraising drive with empty hands.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
You get a shout-out from one of our popular Twitter accounts or, if you prefer, you get a postcard from an exotic locale such as Michigan or New Jersey. Plus a sticker.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
You get a Classical-branded chip clip. Where are the obligatory Cheetos? Hey there, Frito-Lay! Plus a sticker and a Twitter shout or postcard.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
You get a set of letterpress greeting cards, made by hand, with inspirational quotes from such sporting heroes as Derek Bell ("I'm going into 'Operation Shutdown'") and Metta World Peace, f.k.a. Ron Artest (“I’m a big fan of the Nobel Peace Prize”). Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, and a chip clip.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
You get an exclusive e-book of The Classical's eponymous first anthology (think of it as our product number FAC001), full of not-available-elsewhere essays from all of our writers and contributions from our friends—some famous, some Internet-famous, some just quietly awesome. Note that this anthology is literally exclusively available through this Kickstarter drive. Think about whether you can afford *not* to give us this $50. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip and a greeting card set.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
You get a stylish T-shirt designed by Jacob Weinstein and featuring our home logo. We don’t need to sell you on the socioromantic possibilities this shirt will open for you. (Note that this, too, is available exclusively through our Kickstarter drive.) Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set and the exclusive e-book anthology.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
You get a handsome limited edition hooded sweatshirt designed by Jacob Weinstein and featuring our Sunday road colors. Twenty years from now, while mourning the replacement of the internet in favor of direct transmission to the brain, you’ll wear this and enjoy a sense of wistful nostalgia. (Note that this as well is available solely through our Kickstarter drive.) Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology and a T-shirt (layering possibilities).
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
You get an essay on the subject of your choice, at a rate so far below market that it may violate European trade law, from the writer you love best (demand pending). You tell us what you'd like to read about—the significance of sports in Saul Bellow? the 1993 Charlotte Hornets? string theory and the SEC?—and we will write it up for you. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
You get any one of the famous FreeDarko prints that you’d like! These are not available anywhere else, so if you ever wanted one and missed out, this is your chance to ride with Doc Brown. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
You get a bunch of stuff from all the folks down with The Classical! That might sound underwhelming, but consider this: We're all avid readers, serious about our music, and stashed up with bizarre sports memorabilia. It might improve your life, or maybe just your record collection. Do you need glasses? We might have some of those in your size. This is not a joke, or a test. We will give you a part of ourselves, just shy of extracting essential organs. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt and your choice of an essay on the subject of your choice OR a FreeDarko print.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You get a signed page from Jacob Weinstein's sketchbook! And believe us, this is not a lazy scrawl, this is the center of all future conversation in your living room. (If interested in supporting at this level, please contact us for a .pdf file of available sketches.) Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, an essay on the subject of your choice, a FreeDarko print, and a large box full of awesome stuff.
Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more
You get a day of our time! Want to go bowling with Bethlehem Shoals, have David Roth lecture your Rotary Club, or swill brandy with Tom Scharpling? This is your chance to make that happen, and our writer will hand-deliver presents as well! What will these be? We don’t know, but they’ll be good. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, an essay on the subject of your choice, a FreeDarko print, a large box full of awesome stuff and a page from Jacob Weinstein's sketchbook.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You get to edit The Classical for a week! If you’d like, you can impose your beliefs as regards the serial comma and start arguments about formatting. Mainly, though, this is a chance for you to make The Classical your own. Want to see certain writers on the site? We’ll work with you to get them on there. Have story ideas? We can help you shape them and make them a reality. Your name will go at the top of the page in lights, and your resume will prosper. It’s all the prestige, glamour, and exhilaration of running a trick-ass boutique magazine, minus the headaches (we absorb those) or the paper. Plus a sticker, a Twitter shout or postcard, a chip clip, a greeting card set, the exclusive e-book anthology, a T-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, an essay on the subject of your choice, an essay on the subject of your choice, a FreeDarko print, a large box full of awesome stuff, a page from Jacob Weinstein's sketchbook, and a day of our time.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
You are a saint or a corporation. This will not be forgotten. You get all the stuff, to be evenly distributed among your employees, lienholders, and/or the ones you love, and you also get exclusive sponsorship rights to the site for an entire month or a February plus 2-3 bonus days. Promote your brand, direct our readers to a worthy charity or spare our audience unsightly ads—it’s up to you!
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
We're a bunch of sportswriters. You know us from the Internet. We live all over the country. Check out our capsule bios up above if you're curious.
Any chance I could be your leading resource in everything trading card related? I'll be your purveyor, Oakley & Allen will take the backseat to anything Classical.