Really like the articles (NFL & MLB) but, it seems their quality is way down from 2+ yrs ago. Also, we finally got an Astros writer & now we have no Texans main writer. But what’s even worse, is that I think I got “banned/flagged” for a comment I made 2+ yrs ago (it wasn’t terrible) because since then, I’ve been blocked out. The absolute WORST thing is that I’ve emailed The Athletic 5+ times & never even got a single response. I’m a paying customer, which should either allow me to post comments or at very least, tell me via email/phone/text, why I can’t. I rank the: Writing & article quality in the 7.5-9 range (out of 10). Customer service is 0/10. Not having a dedicated writer for my local NFL team is 1/10. And as Houston is the 4th largest city in the USA (& diehard about football), not having a Texans’ writer is either inexcusable negligence or deliberately being done (ex: since the NY Times owns The Athletic & NYC sports fans HATE the Houston Teams, we get minimal coverage). Please email me & help me get my “ability to post comments” problem fixed.

Imagine my shock when after turning off the auto-renewal option for my subscription, my credit card was still billed. Realizing this must have been some sort of technical glitch, I reached out to support for assistance. The automated response was what you would typically expect for this type of issue. Having now paid for another year’s subscription, I figured I’d read some fine journalism this morning. I perused the content of the Athletic and settled on a fine article. Imagine the shock when after the first paragraph receiving the “ subscribe to continue reading” message. So I’ve paid but don’t get access to the content, PERFECT! I followed the steps which direct me to the settings page. The message clearly shows the iOS subscription cancellation on Feb 10,2024, the program has blocked my access( acknowledging the cancellation of the subscription)yet the billing department didn’t get the memo. It shouldn’t be this difficult. It’s disappointing to have to write a review to get someone to actually pay attention. Maybe this will help get the issue resolved but I doubt it. I’m sure there will just be another lazy attempt at customer “service”.

Seemed interesting when this first launched, but now it’s just as bad as a decade or two ago at ESPN. It really is just an updated version, now that their plan is to hire big names, not talented writers or columnists. Don’t waste your money. Speaking of ESPN, Keith Law literally had my account (comment portion, anyway) for the most banal critique I’ve ever written; verbatim: “Lol Keith’s analysis of these ‘prospects’ is silly, but to each their own.” Oh, the humanity! It’s so lame. No need for it. Thought it’d be more legitimate when the Times bought it. Not so. Shame. Used to be solid. Addendum: Don’t wanna sound like a right-winger decrying the lack of free speech! Not at all. But in the first couple years, it really was interesting and fun to comment and engage right below the stories. Now? It’s SLIGHTLY-better ESPN with comments that need to be banal as heck to even make it on the platform. Shame. Thought when the Times acquired TA, there’d be a bit more liberal takes. Nah. We all love the Times, but they’re a corporate entity first and foremost. Really is a shame because TA used to be very good. Oh, and they promote white supremacy in the comments AND articles like it’s going out of style. Especially NHL related stories. A but with MLB, but I must say their “big name” MLB reporters are the best they have or the four major sports. Buy at your own risk/peril. Take care.