By Michael Adams
Founder, Austin Sports Journal

Over the past two and a half years, the Austin Sports Journal has grown from an idea and a camera bag into a a recognizable brand across South Central Texas.

None of that happens without you.

This fall, I removed our paywall so more people could experience our coverage. It worked. Traffic jumped. New audiences found us. More moments and communities were celebrated.

However, that growth came with higher costs, including travel, equipment, the necessary software and the labor behind every story written, photo taken and video edited.

With only a handful of advertisers and early subscriptions, I’ve carried most of that investment personally. I don’t regret it for a second because this mission matters, but long-term sustainability matters just as much.

So on January 1, 2026, the Austin Sports Journal will return to a subscription model.

This was not an easy decision. I wrestled with it for weeks. However, to continue the depth, consistency and quality our community deserves, it’s necessary.

The good news is that I’m making our subscription model simple, cost effective and a great value.

All memberships will be $7.99/month – just one simple price and access to all content. This is one-third the cost of a subscription to similar websites. Breaking news, sponsored features, photo galleries and some content will remain free.

My goal is not to put content behind a wall, it’s to make sure there’s a platform strong enough to keep telling these stories well into the future. Subscriptions help us expand coverage, upgrade resources, pay contractors and provide high-quality content.

I’m grateful for every reader who has supported this journey, whether through a subscription, sharing stories, sending feedback or simply reading. You’re the reason this exists and the reason it can grow.

Thank you for being part of the Austin Sports Journal community.

FAQs