And just like that five years have gone by since I “launched” this website.

January 1st, 2017. This was the logo.

The slogan for the site was “Shake-Pop-Spray”🙄 and I was posting shit like this:

I had no idea what the goal for the website would be. I just knew that I wanted to have something that was completely my own where I could share my deep-rooted love for the City of Detroit and their sports teams. I feel now as a I felt then- that the City of Detroit and their professional teams are under-represented and under-appreciated by the national media.

Detroit sports, in my eyes, has just as loyal, passionate, fanbase and rich sports history as all the major market cities (New York, Boston, LA, Chicago, Philly, Etc.) and I wanted to properly represent that in the best way I knew how- through humor, nostalgia, and relatable Detroit-sports fandom. I didn’t know the most about sports. I wouldn’t cover every practice squad transaction. I wouldn’t break down film or watch every single minute of every single event. I was just a regular dude working a 9-5 who loved sports.

All the above still applies 110%.

And while I haven’t exactly blown the absolute doors off of this thing how I probably would’ve liked, we’ve have done some stuff I never really could have imagined when I was posting about Justin Verlander’s dick or Molson XXX back in 2017.

Erika Ott, wife of former Wing Steve Ott, helped get the IG/website off the ground early by showing love to one of the first articles posted on the website.

Then Miggy blocked the IG for posting this.

Then, still supporter to this day, Kelly Stafford got on board due to an article about Matthew adjusting to becoming a father of daughters.

Then JV got on board.

Then we launched the first merch shop and promised to bring you my favorite picture of my idol, Steve Yzerman, onto a tee.

Which would take me way longer than I ever thought it would. Then with the help of Foundation Hotel, I attempted a podcast.

The Joe went down (RIP).

LCA went up (with red seats, as God intended).

Stevie came home.

We fought a Russian Five documentary director over a tee-shirt.

This guy crossed the street.

Your support kept growing.

You guys started repping what we created.

The Fizz was no longer a solo show.

I tried out a new character.

We fell off a Bird together.

We created art together.

 

And throughout it all… we lost a fuck ton of games.

Since the launch of the site only the 2019 Pistons have clinched a playoff birth, and we have yet to experience a playoff win. Is Champagne the curse?

You met the Snakes, and the Longnecks.

We had a few meals together.

Then, I went all out to work at Barstool, and got all the way to the CEO’s desk. Only to ever hear crickets from them.

We followed up that disappointment with….this:

Due to my amazing wife, and all of your guys’ support, I did something I never could have dreamed of- I got the chance to interview my childhood/current day hero, Steve Yzerman.

I followed that extremely humbling experience up by turning 30 and (thanks to some awesome co-workers) getting lambasted by 1/2 the voice of the Detroit Red Wings- Ken Daniels.

Former NFL running back Jehuu Caulcrick became my good friend and co-host of The Fizz, which started to roll.

We got written up in the largest newspaper publication in North America, further realizing a childhood dream of mine.

We finally launched the fucking shirt I promised 4 years prior.

The greatest organization in sports (the Detroit Red Wings) made Champagne their first official influencer (Strategic Business Associate) in history.

Started golfin’ 🤷 (like shit)

Took yet another crack at Barstool (to no avail).

Realized I’m not 21 anymore.

Continued to bond with you, the people, the fans. No matter how sickly we all are.

Thanks to Jehuu, and with the support of newest Fizz co-host, Chandler, we were able to interview the winningest coach in my alma mater’s history before one of the biggest UM-MSU games of all time.

Kelly continues to support 2,000+ miles away, rocking a different shade of blue with a much better winning percentage.

And to this day, together, as a unit, you me and all 9k-ish followers across all the Champagne platforms have been able to build a small community of Detroit-loving fans who have supported this journey for 5 short years.

I know at times it can get inconsistent, there are a lot of times I want to put more into this. But throughout all the fun, all the L’s, the dubs, the trades, the beers, all through whatever I got going on in my life- you have been here supporting.

So THANK YOU. Thanks for all the likes, the comments, the DM’s, the purchases, the laughs, the tags, the shares, the high-fives, the fuck yeah’s and fuck you’s … I sincerely appreciate it all and can’t wait to see what the next 5 has in store. I hope it involves a lot more of this.

#lgrw #forward #eatemup #detroitbasketball #RELENTLESS

🍾

– Frank

Links to everything: https://linktr.ee/ChampagneAthletics