So, you're considering subscribing to "What's on Tap with Tommy Beer"?
Well, we’d love to have you, but I assume you may have a few questions…
What should I expect?
The best Knicks coverage on the internet... The newsletter is published several times each week, and shipped to your inbox around noon EST. The primary focus of my coverage will be the New York Knicks, as I've spent the better part of the past 15 years covering my hometown team. I'll recap each game and preview important matchups. If you've read my work before, or follow me on Twitter, you know I'll incorporate statistics and other relevant data into my analysis in an attempt to advance the conversation around the team. (And, if you read some of my dopey tweets, you know we'll try to have some fun along the way). I'll also tackle topics that impact the league as a whole, including issues at the intersection of the NBA and the economy.
This is my initial plan for the newsletter and pod, but I am intentionally leaving some blank space on the canvas to maintain flexibility moving forward. I hope to help build a connected community that feels comfortable making recommendations. Collectively, the group will have input into the direction we go. Each member will have the opportunity to reach me directly, and I'll be exceedingly open to ideas from readers/listeners to improve the overall experience. For instance, would there be interest in a daily glance ahead at that night's NBA action, checking in on the point spreads for a handful of games to potentially wager on (or tempting player prop bets, etc.)? Do fantasy basketball enthusiasts want a small section dedicated to fantasy hoops - or would they prefer to email me questions individually?
Ultimately, my vision for this venture is to make it feel like we're all sitting around an oversized table enjoying lunch while talking hoops and debating potential lineup changes, or posted up at a bar during happy hour discussing trade rumors and reminiscing about the 90's Knicks.
How much does it cost?
$5 a month or $44 annually.
I gotta admit, I hate charging for content. But I do believe the newsletter model is the wave of the future. I've looked at everything out there, and I feel the Substack format will enable me to be the best version of my journalistic self, as I can render my thoughts, unfiltered, straight to you, the reader. This will be the first time I'll have the opportunity to write about the Knicks and NBA as often as I'd like. I promise to make every effort to create content worth the price of admission. The discounted $39/year payment plan, which will be available for a limited time, works out to $3.25 per month, and there is also the alternative of subscribing for free and receiving occasional posts available to the public. There is also an option for Founding Members, which will include invites to quarterly interactive Zoom sessions and other unique opportunities. In addition, I will sprinkle in raffles and trivia questions in certain newsletters. For some trivia questions, a subscriber who responds with the correct answers will be randomly selected and awarded a prize - ranging from Knicks memorabilia (vintage Pat Ewing shirts, old John Starks posters, etc.) to rookie cards and autographed 8x10 photos, stuff like that.
Why subscribe?
A paid subscription provides you full access to every newsletter and podcast and the complete archive on my Substack page. Furthermore, there will be no advertisements to clutter the reading or listening experience. And there won't be any nonsense. (Well, some nonsense, but no trolls.) The vibrant community we create will consist of like-minded people who love basketball and treat fellow human beings with respect. Discourteous behavior will not be tolerated. I am optimistic this will lead to informative, entertaining and meaningful conversations.
About Tommy Beer:
I've been fortunate enough to cover the league I love for nearly two decades. I have been a credentialed reporter at Madison Square Garden since 2005. What initially began as a part-time side hustle soon morphed into a full-fledged career. My writing has been published in the New York Times, USA Today and Sports Illustrated, among other national outlets. I've been featured as a recurring guest on several national radio platforms, such as ESPN Radio and SIRIUS XM. My journey has included stops at NBC, Hoopsworld, Basketball News, and most recently, Forbes. Most importantly, I am a husband to the strongest/kindest woman I know and a father to an incredible daughter and son. They are my inspiration and my motivation. "Every morning I'm up cause I can't let them down."
To find out more about the company that provides the technology behind this newsletter, visit Substack.com.
