I’ve posted this as a comment a few moments ago but felt that it was necessary to clear things up in another article post.
Firstly I want to make it clear that any tickers or grid listing implying fixtures in chronological order are not legal and DataCo will request them to be removed if they find them. You need a license to even “imply” fixtures and that goes if you use team names, team badges, team nicknames, team managers the lot. I’ve had half a dozen calls to DataCo to investigate options. There is no legal way of presenting the ticker data without fudging something of partial use.
Ideally I don’t want to offer something of partial use or attempt to creep around the legalities. Nor do I want to involve myself in a legal battle with DataCo. It would likely be hugely time consuming and could prove totally fruitless.
So, my Plan A is to bring the ticker back in its original form and I’m willing to take a punt on investing cash to do so. It would be a risk – I’ve no idea if I’d get enough folk interested to make it viable. So I’ve looked to add a bit more to the offering by also pursuing a license with Opta because I genuinely believe that these stats also add great value. The stats we’ll be presenting are not freely available elsewhere – if they are legally available on another site, I’d certainly like to know about it.
Like the DataCo license, the Opta stats command a sizeable fee but I firmly believe that, in combination with the ticker, they will be a great offering in a potential members area. Like I’ve said previously, this will be additional content for those who want it….
There’s also other stuff being considered of course – it’s all in the survey but I’ve got to stress that nothing is decided as yet not least the pricing. The survey is designed to help me assess all this and it’s been brilliant – I’ve loads to think about.
What is certain is that I have two options with the development of this site. I either stand still and, eventually, as life commitments takeover, sell it on to another party to do what they will with it or I can attempt to develop the site in order to ensure that it can stay a viable part of my life. Right now I’d like to think that visitors here will benefit more from the latter.
The season ticker situation certainly spawned the idea of the members area but there is also a motivation to keep the site moving forward so I can keep on delivering what you see today.
Financial costs have and will remain a factor but the site is also a big pull on my life. I have a full-time job. I have a partner. I’d like to have children in the next couple of years. Realistically I know that I can’t keep on investing my own money and more significantly, hours of my time without the potential for the site to eventually give me and those who help and support me, something back.
I can only apologise if this “ambition” offends anyone and just hope that you can see that I’m considering these steps carefully and for the right reasons.
As I say, I’ve got lots to think about. There will no doubt be updates on this by the end of the week. Again thank you so much for your input via the survey – it’s been a massive help.
Now I have to start looking at sorting some articles – it’s a big day for us all tomorrow. There’s also a game on. Just.