Mike Vernon Free Beer Net Worth
Mike “KU Woj” just launched his new newsletter and the hearings are already flowing. We’ve talked to Mike before—a few times—and he is one of this newsletter’s most trusted associates. The Hearings rules, and is the de facto source for KU athletic rumors and gossip. Smash that subscribe! Also he’s doing a giveaway right now, details below:
Mike and I planned to do a Q&A right when the newsletter launched, but a few professional obligations interfered and we were forced to settle for an email convo. Which, maybe it’s better? Two writers, writin’? Let’s find out.
I wrote Mike at his new home base in LA, and we jammed on the new publications, KU hoops HEARINGS and much more.
You launched The Hearings the same week as Lance Leipold signed his contract extension. A great deal of this year’s hearings regarded the Lance Leipold saga. So first question… where do you go from here? Is the Lance news cycle going to run dry?
Yeah, I have been able to own a lot of the Lance Leipold news cycle the last year or two, which is fortunate. This most recent news cycle and valid concern around Leipold’s future with KU was the perfect time to launch a new platform for KU fans to hang out on.
Where do we go from here? The Hearings will NOT only consist of Lance Leipold scoops, news and hot gossip. We’re going to do HEARINGS, of course, but also have a ton of fun with this thing. KU Hoops will get plenty of action. There will be some serious stuff like a deep dive on the IARP/NCAA and KU. At the same time, I’d love to write an Oral History of The Creation of the Boom Boom Room. Or launch a semi-regular podcast where we talk about some unique things like the state of KU sports media. Corban, wanna join?
The goal is to keep fans informed on happenings and hearings at KU. I don’t rely on access to get the Hearings, so I can really keep this thing honest. I also really want to build this WITH KU fans. What do they want to know? What’s their feedback? What KU stories matter to them – or could they share themselves?
The subscribers will dictate MUCH of the content.
Second question… why you gotta come for me like that bro?
LOL THE HEARINGS WILL BE THE ONLY KU NEWSLETTER ONCE I’M DONE WITH YOU, STREAK TALK!
JK. You do a great job here. I genuinely admire what you’ve built and the cause behind it.
You’ve earned such a huge and tight-knit following on Twitter. What is… your take on everything that’s going down there? Do you still think you’ll use that space?
Yeah, I’ll use Twitter as long as we’re still having fun on there. But I’m going to diversify the offering a bit. There will be a chat/text group setup on the Substack. We’re going to harness the community parts of Twitter while informing fans with some longer-form HEARINGS, gossip and hot takes.
It would be irresponsible of me not to ask for a light-to-medium KU basketball scoop. What do you got?
Trying to think of a good one for ya. I saw you wrote a nice piece on MJ Rice. I may elaborate more later on, but I heard Rice has totally turned it around in practice lately. I think he had an attitude coming in (as many 5 stars do), but has flipped the switch once he got healthy and is doing whatever the coaching staff wants. It sounds like a pretty awesome story blossoming. My HEARINGS #scoopsmafia sources love him.
You’ve been all over the KU football beat. But now it’s basketball season. Which storylines are most interesting to you?
We’ve got some good ones in hoops this year. After this much time with Bill Self, KU fans generally understand the rhythm of how our seasons will go. I think this one could have some new twists in turns.
Stories that interest me, in no particular order:
Who will emerge at center?
In particular, Ernest Udeh seems like he could be FUN to watch develop this year.
If no one becomes trustworthy at center, how will KU run offense and guard? When things get tight in big games, Bill Self loves going down low for a high-percentage shot.. what will be this team’s version of that?
How good can Dajuan Harris be? The last two great Self PGs were All-Americans. I don’t think Harris will have the stats for that kind of national recognition.. but he may finish with All-American impact for KU.
At the same time, Jalen Wilson is off to an All-American type of start. What is his ceiling?
What the hell is going on with Zach Clemence?
And then there’s MJ Rice (mentioned above).
Will you hit the Substack chat at all? We’ve been hitting the chat hard lately.
YES. We are going to use this big time. Still learning about how to best set it up. What are your takes on the chat?? This is my interview now.
It’s a really good place to hang out during games. It’s a pretty loose vibe in there so far. But I could also see it taking over for ideas, observations or updates that aren’t full posts. Michael, you are a known gambling man. What kinds of bets are you searching for this KU hoops season, or this basketball season in general?
OK, the edge we can try to find with KU is probably in live betting. We collectively have to figure out this team’s patterns and exploit them. Do they start slow and finish strong? Bet them at the first under 16 timeout. Is it the opposite..?
I owe you a big thanks—as people onboard to The Hearings, there’s a pop-up that asks them to sign up for Streak Talk, and I owe you one for that. The Hearings is already off to a great start… what’s next? Pod? Twitch?
You’re a legend and I appreciate what you’ve done here on Streak Talk. It’s so cool to see you take these writing skills and help those in need. I really respect the hell out of it. I’m happy to have helped a bit.
What’s next?! We’re gonna do some podding. We’re gonna do some kind of attempt at video. I really want to crowdsource story ideas. I want to know what KU fans are interested in — and then we will get to work.