New York’s sports reading series returns to the Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge with chroniclers of all things Madden, the video game that often seems more popular and influential than the NFL itself. Neil Paine went to Florida to learn how Madden ratings are made, while his colleague and self-avowed schlub Walt Hickey got rated himself and written into the game. They documented their exploits in a two-part series for FiveThirtyEight (where guest host Carl Bialik also works). They’ll be joined by Jon Bois, who writes about the absurdities of Madden for SB Nation, where he is an associate editor, and gives his readers a way into his surreal tours of its outer extremes in his column Roster Cuts.

• Read Gelf's interview with Jon Bois, and our joint interview with Neil Paine and Walt Hickey.

Graphics by Mister Lister.

Event Details:

The Gallery at LPR (Official site, map)
158 Bleecker St. (between Sullivan St. and Thompson St.)
New York, NY 10012
Blocks from ACE/BDF/MNR/1/6 trains

Doors open at 7.
Event starts at 7:30.
There is no admission charge.
Attendees must be 21 or older, as per Le Poisson Rouge rules. (Email michael@gelfmagazine.com if you are under 21 and would like to attend. The farther in advance, the better; no guarantees.)

Please spread the word to sports fans and book lovers.


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