Players gonna publish

Mashable:

Not quite like anything before it in American media, The Players’ Tribune was framed in an introductory post as an outlet for athletes to share stories and insights directly with fans while sidestepping the traditional press. It was written by Derek Jeter himself, the guy who became notorious for his reticence with reporters.

The site was welcomed with bemused curiosity in some corners, written off as part PR campaign, part fluff-piece factory and part vanity project in others.

Just how The Players’ Tribune grew up to become a sports media powerhouse is a story of creativity, opportunity and coming up huge: Two years in, the site has found its stroke.

I remember when The Players’ Tribune was first published and the traditional sports media mocked it unmercifully. It has become a great place to read stories directly from the players.