Thank You for Six Incredible Years

Dear Friends,

After six years, 696 articles, nearly 200 videos, and brand deals I never dreamed possible (yes, even Nike), it’s time to say goodbye.

End of the Bench is shutting down.

Our last day of publication will be April 30th, with one last episode of “Short Sports,” which will premiere on May 2nd.

This decision didn’t come lightly. But it’s the right one.

When I started this project in 2019, it was just a pandemic idea: build a platform where people could talk about sports, write creatively, and get paid to do it, especially during a time when the world felt uncertain, disconnected, and chaotic.

We did that. Together.

The writers who contributed brought real heart, insight, and humor to a world that badly needed it. And the readers—you all showed up. Every post, comment, and share helped this grow into something more than a newsletter or a blog. It became a little community.

But behind the scenes, I’ve been stretched thin. I haven’t had a true weekend off in six years. I’ve fixed the website/newsletter while on vacation in Europe. I’ve let go of too many moments with friends and family. As grateful as I am for what we built, I’ve realized it’s time to take care of myself and those around me and invest my time fully in a few other big creative projects ahead.

That includes publishing my second book, going on a small stand-up comedy tour, and building something community-focused that I’ll share more about soon.

None of this would have happened without End of the Bench. It gave me the reps, the resilience, and, most importantly, the people.

So, thank you. Whether you read one piece or all 696, watched Short Sports, or just laughed while doom-scrolling, thank you.

This isn’t the end of the road. Just the end of this chapter. And I’m proud of what we wrote together.

See you soon,

Clay Beyersdorfer

Founder/Editor-in-Chief