Chad Millman’s Behind the Bets podcast w/Phil Steele

[Gassam]

While I found this week’s Behind the Bets podcast with Phil Steele entertaining, I could not help but thinking about one question the entire time. Why did Chad Millman not ask Phil Steele about his “tout” days when he was the main man behind NorthCoast Sports? If you did not know anything about Phil Steele prior to listening to this podcast you would think that he never gambled (or even entertained the thought) on a football game in his life. I found this to be HIGHLY misleading and it was an obvious omission on Millman/Steele’s part . Phil’s background and insight into his passion for football was discussed but his “sports services” days were entirely omitted. I’m not claiming that Phil was ever a fraud or anything like that. (Full disclosure: I used to buy his picks). I just found it rather odd that a journalist of Chad Millman’s stature would not at least ask about his past and why he no longer is affiliated with NorthCoast Sports or selling picks in general. I think that would have been an interesting topic and not “out of bounds” by any means.

Just curious if come across thinking the same thing.

[Beyond the Bets]

I think that's fair criticism, but one thing that should be noted is that guests will sometimes only agree to appear if certain topics are omitted or left out of the conversation. In this case, it's possible that Steele said, "I'm happy to discuss college football and the mag, but let's not rehash my handicapping career."

Again, I have no insight here. But that's a plausible explanation.

[Skating Tripods]

(08-17-2012 09:45 AM)Beyond the Bets Wrote:  I think that's fair criticism, but one thing that should be noted is that guests will sometimes only agree to appear if certain topics are omitted or left out of the conversation. In this case, it's possible that Steele said, "I'm happy to discuss college football and the mag, but let's not rehash my handicapping career."

Again, I have no insight here. But that's a plausible explanation.

That'd be my guess. Steele really wants to get away from the notion that his magazine is nothing more than the claw hammer in a handicapper's toolbox.

He'll never get away from posting ATS stats, but, by the insane amount of work that he and his staff put into following recruits, all of the articles in front of and behind the team pages, and historical information in every team's positional breakdown that he wants this to be taken seriously by more than just handicappers.

[Beyond the Bets]

I have come to really, really respect Phil Steele. The dude's work ethic is incredible. I have come to appreciate his accomplishments more and more as our CFB Preview continues to be delayed (but you'll start seeing it next week!)

You have no idea how annoying it must be for Steele to react to offseason changes. For instance, we finished the Maryland preview about two weeks ago. Guess who it focused on? Yep. CJ Brown, who is now out for the season. #deleted

[Skating Tripods]

(08-17-2012 10:52 AM)Beyond the Bets Wrote:  I have come to really, really respect Phil Steele. The dude's work ethic is incredible. I have come to appreciate his accomplishments more and more as our CFB Preview continues to be delayed (but you'll start seeing it next week!)

And I can't imagine he's making much of a living off the mag. 320 pages printed in full color, shipping mags to all over the country. Very little advertising in the mag. Tons and tons of hours of work. Has to pay his staff. If he has other interests, investments, etc, it doesn't seem like he can dedicate much time to them.

I never hear much about people buying his NFL mag. I know his FCS mag isn't a big seller, he said as much when he said this might be the last year for it.

Let's put it this way: I don't envy him.

[Beyond the Bets]

He lives in a gigantic house.

[Gassam]

All valid points gents. I highly respect his work/work ethic as well. However, I remember when BTB pointed out last year how much of the information in the mag is "recycled" information from year to year. I actually stopped buying it b/c there's TOO MUCH information in there...not to mention my eyes would be going bonkers trying to read it. 100+ hours work weeks "in-season" doesn't sound like the man has much balance in his life.
I just wish I could conveniently omit parts of my past as he seems to be doing when doing interviews such as Millman's. It would be like interviewing Axl Rose and not asking him about his GNR days.
Just my take.

[illadelphia]

(08-17-2012 11:54 AM)Gassam Wrote:  It would be like interviewing Axl Rose and not asking him about his GNR days.
Just my take.

Not the best analogy Gassam. What has Axl done since his GNR days? Steele has done noteworthy things since his days of pick selling, namely his magazine(s). So Steele sort of has 2 public identities (tout & magazine publisher) while Axl will always be identified with GNR and not much else.

I tend to agree with BTB that Steele probably told Millman that certain topics were off-limits and that's why it wasn't addressed. Millman has already stated that finding guests for his show isn't very easy and pissing off Steele certainly wouldn't help.

[Beyond the Bets]

(08-17-2012 11:54 AM)Gassam Wrote:  All valid points gents. I highly respect his work/work ethic as well. However, I remember when BTB pointed out last year how much of the information in the mag is "recycled" information from year to year. I actually stopped buying it b/c there's TOO MUCH information in there...not to mention my eyes would be going bonkers trying to read it. 100+ hours work weeks "in-season" doesn't sound like the man has much balance in his life.
I just wish I could conveniently omit parts of my past as he seems to be doing when doing interviews such as Millman's. It would be like interviewing Axl Rose and not asking him about his GNR days.
Just my take.

It's a 30-minute podcast. Steele was brought on to discuss the magazine and offer some thoughts related to the upcoming college football season. You can't cover everything.

[BetThemDogs]

Just a note. His Div 1-AA mag is definitely worth the price. Just for the 1st couple of weeks when the Big Boys all play a 1-AA team. Certainly hope he doesn't quit doing it.

[ChiefZilla]

(08-18-2012 06:39 PM)BetThemDogs Wrote:  Just a note. His Div 1-AA mag is definitely worth the price. Just for the 1st couple of weeks when the Big Boys all play a 1-AA team. Certainly hope he doesn't quit doing it.

How in-depth is it compared to the FBS mag?

[bart41]

(08-17-2012 12:14 PM)Beyond the Bets Wrote:  

(08-17-2012 11:54 AM)Gassam Wrote:  All valid points gents. I highly respect his work/work ethic as well. However, I remember when BTB pointed out last year how much of the information in the mag is "recycled" information from year to year. I actually stopped buying it b/c there's TOO MUCH information in there...not to mention my eyes would be going bonkers trying to read it. 100+ hours work weeks "in-season" doesn't sound like the man has much balance in his life.
I just wish I could conveniently omit parts of my past as he seems to be doing when doing interviews such as Millman's. It would be like interviewing Axl Rose and not asking him about his GNR days.
Just my take.

It's a 30-minute podcast. Steele was brought on to discuss the magazine and offer some thoughts related to the upcoming college football season. You can't cover everything.

Agree 100%. This was about previewing the CFB season, not about touts and Phil Steele. While they did talk about his process, I think it was more about building credibility with the podcast audience than anything else. I bet the next time he's on, it will be 100% about CFB.

[BetThemDogs]

(08-19-2012 12:19 PM)ChiefZilla Wrote:  

(08-18-2012 06:39 PM)BetThemDogs Wrote:  Just a note. His Div 1-AA mag is definitely worth the price. Just for the 1st couple of weeks when the Big Boys all play a 1-AA team. Certainly hope he doesn't quit doing it.

How in-depth is it compared to the FBS mag?

If I remember right-- it has a full page on each team. I should be getting mine soon, as it was supposed to be out last week.

[BetThemDogs]

Update-- worth the money--

http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2012/Aug12/DBAug22.html

[Beyond the Bets]

Yeah, if this thing actually turns a profit, I'd be stunned. Sounds like a giant waste of time, but love the enthusiasm and Steele's desire to put it out.

[BetThemDogs]

(08-22-2012 05:52 PM)Beyond the Bets Wrote:  Yeah, if this thing actually turns a profit, I'd be stunned. Sounds like a giant waste of time, but love the enthusiasm and Steele's desire to put it out.

I hope he keeps it going as I don't know anywhere else to get all that info on 1-AA teams. And, usually find a couple of good bets in the first 2 weeks with the little guys taking on 1-A teams.

(I'm an old fart--- so feel free to insert FBS, FCS, or just plain ole BS where appropriate.)