You think people would pay for this? lol.
I see that "Contributors" already do.
This would be a continuity system. Continuity sales and paid subscriber are huge money-spinners. Ask Spotify...Netflix...the list is ginormous.
But nothing would change for the deadbeats under the proposal outlined above.
They'd still have the ability to read everything on the site, including everything in the paid subscriber's subforum.
They'd still be able to post comments just as they do now - just not in the paid subscriber's subforum.
It's up to you, of course.
Eventually, everything changes. Inevitably.
I'd like to see what you've created here go on.
Having a paid subscriber base could make that a more attractive prospect to potential future investors.
Surely you've considered your legacy. Don't you have daughters that might benefit from a salable asset someday?
Think about it.