PLANS to produce a standalone sports newspaper for Scotland will now require something of a miracle if a crowdfunding target is to be met, that would have allowed for the production of a pilot, proof-of-concept issue.
Hoping there might be between 8,000 to 10,000 people willing to back a newspaper that promised adding anticipation to upcoming events across the whole of the sporting spectrum, all that has been raised so far is barely 20 per cent of the hoped-for £50,000 to cover start-up costs.
The crowdfunding link is www.crowdfunder.co.uk/scottish-sports-newspaper. And it closes on Thursday midday, with pledges returned to backers should the target be missed.
Among the many propositions that has so far failed to resonate with prospective backers is the inevitable consequence (of how the paper would have been structured) of improved gender balance.
The editorial ethos would be to dispense with match reports, and even news, and concentrate on what’s ahead on the sporting calendar.
With all sports at all levels being judged by the strength of their essential stories, it would have meant no guarantees of coverage but everyone a contender.
Were the project to reach the pilot stage, the next target would be enough people willing to have the paper pop through their letterbox on a weekly basis – backed by access to a digital version. For about £2 per copy.
The project promised increased opportunities for freelance journalists and new talent, managed by a small team of production journalists.
It is being spearheaded by, among others, the media website, allmediascotland.com.
Contact: Mike Wilson
Email: mike@allmediascotland.com
