Jacob Wolf, Mikhail Klimentov merge Substack newsletters into joint Patreon platform

Posted : 15 August 2023

Esports journalists Jacob Wolf and Mikhail Klimentov have taken a collaborative step by merging their independent Substack newsletter publications into a joint Patreon platform. This strategic move is designed to leverage their combined resources, extend their reach, and amplify their individual identities while unitedly covering topics such as gaming, esports, the creator economy, and broader internet culture.

Jacob Wolf is a seasoned esports journalist with a track record spanning notable endemic and non-endemic platforms. Having previously contributed to ESPN, The Daily Dot, and Dot Esports, Wolf is renowned for breaking significant stories in the industry, particularly within the realms of League of Legends and Activision Blizzard's franchised esports leagues.

Currently the CEO and founder of the production company Overcome, Wolf is also the author of The Jacob Wolf Report, a subscriber-funded independent newsletter on Substack.

Mikhail Klimentov, formerly Assistant Editor at the Washington Post's gaming and esports vertical Launcher, subsequently transitioned to an Assistant Editor role at the publication's Foreign desk. Klimentov's coverage has included breaking stories on subjects like TSM's workplace culture and the recent LCS player walkout.

His esports-focused Substack newsletter, ReaderGrev, has further contributed to his reputation in the field. It's important to note that the newly formed joint Patreon endeavor remains distinct from Klimentov's role at the Washington Post, where he continues to serve as an Editor.

The joint Patreon venture will encompass access to both journalists' respective newsletters and podcasts. While their efforts will be united under a single Patreon umbrella, their newsletters will maintain their independent publication and won't be merged.

Addressing their long-term vision, Wolf highlighted their aim to establish a subscription-backed media company that is centered around employee and content creator ownership, allowing them greater control over their initiatives. Klimentov emphasized their aspiration to utilize Patreon to pool resources, pursue journalistic endeavors on their wish lists, and support fellow journalists and team expansion if successful.

Subscription tiers on their Patreon platform will range from £6 to £64 per month, offering diverse perks. Although both Wolf and Klimentov had offered paid subscriptions on Substack, Wolf articulated concerns about reaching a growth ceiling due to the platform's predominantly non-gamer audience and his relatively limited discoverability within that context.

In an interview with Digiday, where the news was initially disclosed, Jacob Wolf articulated that Patreon aligns more naturally with the gaming community, facilitating scalability and enhanced monetization of their audience.

This strategic move occurs in a backdrop where several esports-focused news outlets and media companies have encountered challenges, leading to closures or journalist layoffs. The younger gaming and esports demographic is often perceived to have a different approach to traditional journalism, driven by the immediacy and connectivity afforded by social media.

Jacob Wolf, Mikhail Klimentov merge Substack newsletters into joint Patreon platform

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