Issue One of XI, a North American soccer quarterly, released last week.
Subscribe now and save 15% with the code XILAUNCH at www.xiquarterly.com/subscribe/
Photos by Marty Groark (@followPREAM)
We’re pretty excited that XI Quarterly issue one is now a fine-smelling 116 page ad-free book. If you haven’t subscribed yet, we have a launch offer giving you 15% off with the code XILAUNCH at www.xiquarterly.com/subscribe/
(if you need a little more convincing, how about a sneak peek: www.xiquarterly.com/2012/09/07/an-excerpt-from-issue-one/)
Want to take a sneak peek inside XI Quarterly issue one? The first XI of you to reblog this post will receive a special look inside ‘Coming to America’, eleven original stories about soccer in North America: long-form essays, illustrations and photography we hope you’ll enjoy.
Issue one of XI - “Coming to America” - is only four weeks from release, and a special introductory offer is available now at the all-new xiquarterly.com: with a quarterly subscription, issue #1 will be delivered to your door for only $7.99.
The first issue, around 100 ad-free pages, includes long-form essays on Cruyff in America, the origins of soccer in Portland, Latina soccer players making it in North Carolina and much more, including original color photography and illustrations exploring soccer in North America.
Cover of the NASL’s official publication Kick magazine from 1980, featuring Johan Cruyff and with some positive words about women’s soccer.
Call For Photographers
A new print publication on North American soccer is launching this summer. Following XI’s mandate to put as much emphasis on photography as writing, we are assembling a small selection of photographers throughout the continent with the experience, quality, and creativity we seek.
XI wishes to underscore that the goal is not exclusively to document top-level men’s professional soccer or international matches. We equally seek to gain high-quality images of women’s, amateur, and youth soccer; as well as photos of soccer culture: the fans, the paraphernalia, the spirit of the game. There’s more to the game than what we can see on television, and this comes to the root of why XI exists.
Read all the details on how you can become an XI photographer.
XI Quarterly Hits Fundraising Goal (What Next?)
Tom Dunmore with some thoughts on XI Quarterly hitting its fundraising target:
This has truly been a grassroots effort, and demonstrates the broad desire of a North American soccer public keen to have serious content to digest about the game they love: this project was not funded by a donation write-off by a major corporation, or by a rich individual with money to burn, but by 250+ individuals reaching into their pockets with pledges ranging from $2 to $750 to make this happen.
For the XI team, that broad range of support is just as important as the cash in hand to actually publish XI - it confirms that there is an audience out there that wants to delve deeper into understanding the past, present and future of North American soccer, beyond the news wire releases repeated over and over. Fans want to consume quality writing, original photography, fresh perspectives, and to help support a publication to be proud of - not one imported from overseas, but one written with a focus on this continent, by content producers on this continent.
As the week winds down, we want to thank everyone who is pushing XI towards becoming a reality on Kickstarter. 200 pledges, totaling $9,112! $1,888 to go in 11 days to reach the $11k target (remember, it’s all or nothing!). After that, XI can focus solely on crafting original soccer content for the print magazine. We hope you’re looking forward to that as much as we are.
If you’re in Chicago - home of XI co-founder Tom Dunmore - you’re invited to the XI pledge party next Friday! If you’re on Facebook, RSVP and help spread the word.
XI Fundraising Progress – All or Nothing
75% of the way to it being all, rather than nothing - support XI on Kickstarter!
Morning Kickstarter update, future XI readers: $6,481 pledged of $11k goal to launch XI in print, 13 days to go. Help us get there by donating whatever you can - even $2 helps! - and by giving this a reblog. Please support the birth of new soccer journalism in North America.
New Reward Level For XI - Support New Soccer Media!
A new reward level has just been added on Kickstarter for XI supporters: $18 gets you a year-long digital subscription to XI. This will also be included for everyone who pledges over that level as well! Details here: http://kck.st/H51kHc
Please reblog to help launch XI on Kickstarter! If XI doesn’t hit the goal of $11,000 by Tuesday, May 2nd not a cent will go to launch the new soccer journal.
