2026-01-05 22:00:31

A significant shift is happening in media—over 150 experienced Sports Illustrated journalists have made the leap to join founder James Heckman's Web3 media venture, Roundtable. This mass migration signals a turning point: traditional media talents are increasingly betting on decentralized platforms and blockchain-based publishing models.

What's driving this exodus? The appeal is clear—Web3 media offers journalists direct reader relationships, token incentives, and creative freedom without the constraints of legacy publishing. Roundtable represents a growing category of Web3 projects rethinking content distribution and creator economics.

The trend reflects broader industry conversations: as Web3 matures beyond speculation, real use cases in media, publishing, and content communities are starting to emerge. Whether this signals the future of journalism or remains a niche experiment will likely become clearer as more legacy platforms adapt.

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Whale_Whisperer

· 31m ago

150 journalists fleeing to Web3, now traditional media should be panicking, haha --- Another wave of influencers betting on blockchain, it seems everyone has truly awakened --- This move is a big win, who doesn't love token incentives --- Dare to ask how long legacy media can hold on, it's really about to end --- The roundtable event shows that Web3 is no longer just about speculation, it's starting to have substance --- With 150 people leaving, how will traditional media play? --- Direct reader relationships plus tokens, this approach is indeed powerful --- Called the future in a nice way, or in a harsh way, everyone is just gambling, who knows --- Watching a bunch of journalists rush to Web3, I just laugh, this is the real vote with feet --- Creative freedom vs. stable salary, seeing who chooses Web3 is quite genuine

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GateUser-a606bf0c

· 16h ago

ngl this wave of SI journalists collectively jumping ship is really intense, 150 is not a small number, it’s really starting to show some sincerity in Web3. The logic behind Web3 media is actually just about sharing the pie with creators, which is better than being exploited by traditional giants. Wait, is token incentivization really going to be implemented or is it just another way to cut the leeks... but at least the spirit of daring to try is commendable. If this really works out, traditional media jobs might have to be reshuffled. Honestly, I’m just watching and waiting, afraid it’s another wave of hype and gimmicks, but maybe it could really bring about some change.

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rugpull_ptsd

· 01-06 05:43

150 journalists fleeing to Web3, what does it say... Is traditional media really coming to an end? --- Both token incentives and creative freedom sound good, but I'm just worried it might be the next scam to cut the leeks. --- ngl if this move really materializes, it would be awesome, but I still need to see how long Roundtable can survive before making any judgments. --- Doing business directly with readers? Isn't that just cutting out the middlemen? Okay. --- Wait, even if 150 journalists all leave, it can't change the fundamental problems of the news industry, right? --- Web3 publishing... To be honest, I still have my doubts, but at least the spirit of daring to think and do deserves credit. --- Can't afford to lose to the old employer, so starting to go ALL IN decentralized. I understand, but it's also quite a gamble. --- No matter how good it sounds, it's still about attracting people with tokens. When the token crashes, we'll see if anyone stays.

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metaverse_hermit

· 01-05 22:29

Honestly, 150 reporters rushing into Web3 sounds pretty impressive, but can they really survive? --- Token incentives sound good, but I'm just worried it’s another new way to cut the leeks again. --- Traditional media people are all looking for a way out. Will this work? Let’s wait and see. --- Directly engaging with readers is indeed tempting, but how to survive without ad revenue? --- If traditional media hadn’t been so bad these past few years, who would be willing to bet on Web3? --- I think, in the end, those who truly have content creation ability will make money; platforms don’t matter. --- 150 people running together? Feels like some kind of collective experiment... --- Blockchain publishing? Sounds advanced, but what about user experience? --- Compared to trading coins, at least some people are seriously creating content. --- If this really takes off, traditional media will have to do a thorough self-reflection.

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ZenMiner

· 01-05 22:16

NGL, 150 journalists collectively jumping to Web3 sounds pretty intense, but I guess it really depends on how things develop next. Are traditional media really going all-in on the blockchain? That's pretty interesting. If they can actually deliver something this time, legacy media will be panicking. Web3 media might survive the next bear market, but for now, it's still a bit speculative. Directly connecting with readers and token incentives... the idea is great, but what will reality look like? Wait, with a team of 150 people, how do you calculate token economics? That's the real key. Honestly, I just want to see if Roundtable can truly disrupt something, or if it will just become another Web3 hype project.

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AirdropHunter

· 01-05 22:11

150 journalists have fled, is this a gamble on Web3 saving the news industry or a collective gamble? Old media is really about to end, are tokens more attractive than salaries? Direct reader relationships sound good, but who will guarantee content quality... This is truly a big escape, the end of legacy media? Wait, isn't this just a shell swap to hype concepts, can it actually make money? Honestly, it's still about wanting freedom of speech, money is just a cover. Can 150 people's traffic sustain it? It's a bit uncertain. Blockchain publishing has been a hot topic for years, but only a few can really implement it. The stakes are so high, either become a benchmark or a negative example.

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