Good afternoon everybody. I wanted to give you all an update on SBI and the progress we've made heading into our eighth month of existence.
Thanks to you, the readers, SBI was able to set a new traffic high for the fourth straight month, surpassing the 900,000 pageview mark for July. That came as a bit of a surprise considering the lack of high-profile events in July. With August full of events such as the Olympics, World Cup Qualifying and the start of the European soccer season, SBI could reach the 1 million pageview mark in August.
SBI has also secured a new lead sponsor. Premier Soccer Shop in Hoboken New Jersey is now the new exclusive soccer apparel sponsor for SBI. Check out their website for all your soccer gear needs and you should expect to see me setting up camp at the Hoboken store for some on-site blogging in the near future.
And last, but not least, I wanted to thank long-time reader and graphic designer Matthew Leahy from Richmond, Virginia for turning my vision of an SBI logo into a reality. If you like his work and would like to have him do some design work for you then you can reach him at mleahy@keywebconcepts.com.
That's all for now. I will be posting the Top 10 states and Top 20 cities rankings next week and will be finishing up the reader roll call survey very soon. Thanks again to all of you for your support in helping SBI get off to a great start. August should be the best month yet, with plenty of great soccer to cover and plenty of news to keep you posted on.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Yeah, I was wondering why I had not noticed the logo before. Cool stuff Ives. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: SonicDeathMonkey | August 01, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Congrats on the big numbers Ives - much deserved. My day wouldn't be the same without a half dozen views of SBI.
BTW, how does Kenny Cooper qualify for a UK work permit?
Posted by: Steve B | August 01, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Congrats Ives! Keep the good info coming and we'll keep coming back!
Posted by: Steve | August 01, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Ives, has it really only been 8 months? I'm trying to remember what life was like before discovering my [twice? thrice?] daily fix. You're sort of like a crack dealer, except with soccer news. Oh, and the people who post here are alright too. Except for that brett guy, who's always wrong about everything, no matter what he says.
Posted by: andy b. | August 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Ives,
Great logo. One little change might make it even more related to your site.
A little star or something marking NJ as your home base.
Just a thought.
Posted by: Murph | August 01, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Congrats, Ives.
Soccer blogging in the US has really filled an excellent niche, since so far all major sports publications basically ignore it (it is getting better tho!).
Thanks for filling that niche!
Posted by: Brooklyn Zoo | August 01, 2008 at 01:15 PM
the link doesn't work.
Posted by: Marlon | August 01, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Ives,
Just like your recent Cooper's dad was born in the UK explanation, be prepared for the isn't Brooklyn part of New York City questions when you post your top 20 cities list.
Posted by: CD | August 01, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Great news Ives. Congrats!
Posted by: Raghu | August 01, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Isn't brooklyn part of new york?
Posted by: Matt in Japan | August 01, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Wait, so I no longer get free shipping at that shirt online store whatsitcalled?
Posted by: Dominghosa | August 01, 2008 at 01:24 PM
thought it was the town know as the five boroughs. though maybe I am just old.
Posted by: Matt in Japan | August 01, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Rats off to ya! Making boring desk jobs bearable is no small feat.
Posted by: romanov | August 01, 2008 at 01:28 PM
When is the IPO?
Posted by: kebzach | August 01, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Keep up the good site
Posted by: Ben | August 01, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Are you required to wear Premier Soccer Shop apparel while writing your blog? Congrats on the success of the site.
Posted by: Will | August 01, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Romanov you're truly awesome! Rats off to ya! I love it! Do you have a shirt?
Posted by: silent e | August 01, 2008 at 03:12 PM
silent e, I just picked up one for my girlfriend this summer at a Tim & Eric Awesome Tour show. Ish is gold!
Posted by: romanov | August 01, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Agree that it's time for a SBI shirt!
Posted by: Allegre | August 01, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Let's go for a million!
I'm glad to see that traffic continues to increase despite the presence of that talentless hack who write the LA Galaxy Supporter's View columns.
It is good to know that the quality of everyone else makes up for him.
Posted by: Nathanhj | August 01, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Good choice Ives. I live in Columbus, but my sister lives Hoboken and I've been to the shop a few times. I think/hope my birthday present will be from there. Love the site.
Posted by: Michael | August 01, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Congrats Ives.
Posted by: Jacob | August 01, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Congratulations and thanks for being my main source of soccer news!
Posted by: socmin | August 01, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Romanov, if your girlfriend likes Tom Goes to the Mayor, I hope you have a ring ready. Make sure you brnz it, as well.
Posted by: silent e | August 01, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Q & A !?!?!?
Posted by: Seisco | August 01, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Ives. You're the man. Thanks for starting this, I've expanded my horizons because of this website. Congrats.
Posted by: jb | August 01, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Well done, Ives. The site continues to get better and better. Keep up the great work.
Posted by: JAT | August 01, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Congrats! Keep it up!
Posted by: Neumannator | August 01, 2008 at 11:28 PM