From the Sky Box

The Growing World of Compete

While it has been exactly five years since I first proposed the idea of a gay sports magazine to my best friend and now business partner, David Riach, it seems like it was only yesterday. Now, that original idea of creating a magazine – covering sports from a gay perspective – has morphed from Compete Magazine into Compete Sports Media. The original intent of Compete Magazine (at first called Sports Out Loud) was to build a bridge between the gay community and all things sports. We believe we have succeeded in introducing the world of sports to thousands of readers who may never have read a sports magazine as well as to others who have never seen sports covered through like-minded eyes.

This year we have great plans for our media company. Compete Magazine will continue to cover all things sports with expanded features on professional and college sports (after all, this is our March Madness issue), celebrity and sports star interviews and continued coverage of gay athletes and sporting events. We’re truly a one-stop shop for athletes, fans and supporters. And now, access to Compete Magazine has never been better. In addition to subscription sales, it’s now available at Barnes & Noble, Borders and other independent booksellers across the United States.

Our newest media product, Compete Radio, is also taking off in a big way. What started out as five staffers huddled around an omni-directional microphone has turned into a weekly radio show recorded in our very own radio studio. Compete Radio is now available on such great online stations such as radiotime.com. On March 5, we begin nationwide syndication of Compete Radio with our first on-air affiliate, KPHX, serving the Phoenix Metro Area. Additional affiliates are planned beginning in April.

In addition to our flagship magazine and radio program, we are also expanding our independent websites which are connected via CompeteNetwork.com. At CompeteNetwork.com, you are the star! We offer you the opportunity to blog on the home page of our website with your own profile and blogging credentials. Go ahead, sign up for a free profile and tell the world about your tournament, match, training schedule or even your opinion on last night’s big game. And while you are there, connect to our great media products – Compete Magazine and Compete Radio.

As we look ahead to our sixth year in business, we know that our original premise was correct – sports lovers love sports no matter what their sexual orientation may be. So we will continue to be the innovator in the world of sports, knowing that it truly is a bridge between the gay and straight worlds.

Namaste,