Times still tough, but APSE president says mood improved for nation’s sports sections

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I heard more than my share of gallows humor when I attended the Associated Press Sports Editors annual meeting last month in Chicago.

I listened to a group of editors discussing their coverage for the upcoming Olympics in London. When somebody mentioned the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, an editor for a major paper said, “I just hope we’re around in 2014.”

It wasn’t the only time I heard a crack of that nature.

Indeed, it isn’t easy to be a sports editor these days. For many, it is a matter of survival with painfully dwindling resources. Even today, there is news about Sports Illustrated making staff cuts.

Yet despite the adversity, an APSE survey reported: Sports editors “remain confident in the future of the industry by a 2-to-1 margin as they cope with new technology, changing reader habits, and a sluggish economy.”

To get sense of the mood of the association, I did a Q/A with new APSE president Gerry Ahern, director of news content for the USA Today Sports Media Group.

More than a few times at APSE, I heard editors say, “If we’re still around….” in an upcoming year. Gallows humor, to be sure. What is your sense of the mood of sports editors these days?

I think the mood of many sports editors in 2012 is far more positive than it has been in recent years. Some papers and websites are actually replenishing staff and other resources. Opportunities, at least in some markets, seem to be growing. Certainly, there are exceptions. When you see what’s happening in markets such as New Orleans you have to scratch your head. When you see media companies embroiled in bankruptcy you naturally and legitimately worry about what’s next. Clearly, the days of the one-trick, print pony are long gone.

Reporters and editors have to have quick-twitch, digital skills and focus on delivering original content distinct to their markets. Advertising support on all platforms has to pick up. The folks who are doing that are seeing gains. The thirst for sports news and information isn’t dwindling, it’s expanding. But readers/users want the information delivered in the fashion they want, when they want it. Our ability to serve their needs, on tablets, mobile devices, etc. will ultimately determine who succeeds.

How difficult have the last few years been for editors, especially the aspect of having to let go of staff?

It’s been quite difficult. It’s never easy to have to let go of staffers, especially those who have contributed to past successes. But again those journalists who have adapted to the digital-first landscape and demands given to us by those who consume media are the folks who give us all the best chance to thrive and survive in an ultra-competitive era.

What are the biggest challenges going forward for sports sections?

One huge challenge is to maintain proper professional and ethical standards in a time where the news cycle is 24-7 and the field we compete against is not all playing by the same rules. There have been incidents, such as with Joe Paterno’s death, where some outlets let their zeal to be first outweigh taking proper steps to vet and verify information and sourcing. That should never happen. Not in print, not online, not with social media. Our credibility is at stake and if we lose that, we are sunk.

Given the rapid rise of websites at newspapers, what is the sports editors’ emphasis on these days? Print or Internet?

I think the best sports editors maintain focus on both. You can break incremental news on your site, provide some instant reaction and analysis, then add depth, perspective and exquisite storytelling in print and in later incarnations online.

Just how relevant is the newspaper sports section these days, given all the various platforms these days?

The relevance is in the brand, not necessarily the print product vs. the digital product. Who can readers/users count on to be credible, to be accurate, to be timely, to be fair? The outlets who continue to breaks news, provide informed commentary and analysis, investigate and uncover malfeasance have bright futures. I’m convinced of that.

 

 

 

Sports Illustrated makes staff cuts; hockey writer Farber to be special contributor

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As Sports Illustrated gears up for the Olympics, among the most exciting periods for the magazine, it is cutting back.

SI and its related publications will cut 16 staffers in the effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. It had 13 staffers take a voluntary buyout and 3 layoffs. The reductions will take place over a nine-month period.

Among the writers, NFL and golf writer Damon Hack took the buyout and decided to join the Golf Channel. Hockey writer Michael Farber will stay at the magazine as a special contributor.

The cuts come as SI puts out its Olympics extravaganza. The coverage checks in at 66 pages. From the release:

Sports Illustrated previews the 2012 London Games in the July 23, 2012 issue, on newsstands now. This week’s issue features the U.S. women’s gymnastics team on the cover, 66 pages of Olympic preview coverage and SI’s medal picks—gold, silver and bronze—for all 302 events. Sports Illustrated Olympics staff writer Brian Cazeneuve (@BrianCaz)projects that Team USA will retain the overall medal crown, but believes China will finish first in gold medals won (49), four more than the U.S. Considering its strength across dozens of different events, China will likely do the same for many summer Games to come.

Thanks to five young, relatively inexperienced, but technically strong gymnasts, the United States could win its first Olympic all-round gymnastics title in 16 years. The last time women’s gymnastics appeared on SI’s cover was when Mary Lou Retton was on the Aug. 13, 1984, cover.

Leading the pack is 17-year old Jordyn Weiber, the current world champion, and two-time U.S national champion. Weiber was born a gymnast. Her talent is obvious to anyone who watches her perform, but it’s her work ethic and drive that make her a favorite to win the all-around gold. John Geddert, who has coached Weiber for 14 years said, “I’ve seen other kids with her talent, but Jordyn’s hunger to work separates her.”

 Joining Weiber in London is Gabby Douglas, a 16-year old who won the 2012 Olympic trials over Wieber by a 10th of a point. McKayala Maroney, the world champion on vault, floor specialist Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross join Weiber and Douglas on the team (page 70).

 

ESPN news: Mickelson hams it up for new SportsCenter ad; Steele replaces Andrews on College GameDay

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Just in time for the British Open, here’s a new SportsCenter ad featuring Phil Mickelson and Scott Van Pelt.

*****

Also, this just in from the WWL:

Samantha Steele will join the first hour (9 – 10 a.m. ET) of College GameDay Built by The Home Depot on ESPNU each Saturday this college football season. In addition, she will provide features and updates for the 10 a.m. – noon hours of GameDay on ESPN.

Alongside host Chris Fowler and analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and David Pollack, Steele will preview the week’s best matchups, teams and storylines from the site of that weekend’s biggest game. She will travel to GameDay at the conclusion of the ESPN Thursday Night Football game, where it was announced earlier this month she will serve as the sideline reporter with the booth of Rece Davis and analysts Jessie Palmer and Pollack, who will also be in his first year with the Thursday night crew.

“In a short time, Samantha has established herself as a credible host and reporter,” said Lee Fitting, ESPN senior coordinating producer. “Her enthusiasm, energy and connections within the college football landscape will be a great addition to our already deep and talented lineup.”

Prior to this role, Steele had been a reporter for Longhorn Network. Her LHN replacement will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

 

ESPN happy to put own stamp on British Open; legendary Alliss returns

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It’s been five years since I covered my last British Open. And I truly miss it, more so than anything else I covered in 27 years at the Chicago Tribune.

I loved everything about being over for the Open Championship (the proper name). There’s nothing like quirkiness of links golf. In fact, everything about the experience was quirky; from the food (yes to brown sauce) to the ridiculously small showers to summer temperatures in the 40s and 50s with a damp chill that goes right through you.

I’ll definitely be watching ESPN’s coverage, although I can’t say I’ll be awake for the opening shot Thursday. Network coverage begins at 4:30 a.m. (ET), meaning night owls on the West Coast can tune before they go to sleep.

In previous years, ESPN and ABC had to rely mainly on the BBC for its coverage. Again, think quirky, as the BBC pace is much slower.

Mike Tirico likened the experience to “playing with rented clubs.” If you’re a golfer, you know what that means.

However, ESPN has had its own cameras in place since 2009; the BBC will be available to supplement anything that gets missed. It has made a huge difference in the production.

I had a chance to talk to Mike McQuade, ESPN’s vice-president for event production, about covering the tournament and having 81-year-old legend Peter Alliss back as a contributor.

On the difference between ESPN and BBC coverage:

We cover golf differently than the way the BBC does it, from where the camera angles are to the storylines. It’s an American broadcast. It moves quicker. The big difference will be on Thursday and Friday. There are so many more storylines. While they might want to focus on some Englishman trying to make the cut, we’d rather focus on Phil Mickelson.

On the difference between covering a PGA Tour event in the states and a British Open:

Besides the fact that when it rains everyone is wearing a black rain suit and a hat and you can’t tell anybody from anybody, that’s a big problem.

The wind is always an issue.  Trying to follow the ball in conditions like that is an issue.  Telling Andy North he’s got to walk in the rain for eight hours could be an issue.

I think at this point we’re sort of used to that.  I think the one thing that we’ve tried to do to sort of overcome all of this is this Flight Tracker that we’ve used the last couple of years, and this year I think it’s on six different holes, that really allows the viewer to ‑‑ if the skies are gray and it is tough to follow a ball in gray and white skies, the tracker will at least give you a sense of where the ball is headed and the direction it’s going in.

On Peter Alliss being part of the telecast:

In our mind, he symbolizes the Open Championship. He’s been a part of it for the better part of 60 years. When you have someone that iconic, it goes without saying you take advantage of it. He offers perspective and insights that I think our guys may not be as quick to grasp on to. That’s a good thing. It makes us better.

Here’s Andy North on Alliss.

Peter is one of those few individuals that you come across in life that if you open up the New York telephone book and had him read six or seven pages you’d be enthralled by it.  He is one of those gifted people that is so much fun to be around, and Curtis (Strange) and I have the great opportunity to work the week following the Open Championship at the Senior British Open Championship.  It is a riot.

 

 

 

 

Sports Illustrated’s Wertheim: Posnanski book may be ‘literary version of Matt Millen fiasco’

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Yet another post in the continuing saga of the Paterno book:

Jon Wertheim appears on The Sports-Casters podcast this week. Wertheim has been part of Sports Illustrated’s coverage of Penn State and spent time with Joe Posnanski in State College.

When Sports-Casters’ Steve Bennett asked about the growing controversy over Posnanski’s upcoming book about the now tarnished coach, Wertheim emitted a large groan.

Clearly, he didn’t want to weigh in about a sensitive subject regarding his former colleague and somebody greatly admired in the sportswriting fraternity. However, years of enduring athletes and coaches duck the tough questions made Wertheim feel compelled to comment.

Like others, Wertheim, the author of seven books, thinks Posnanski and Simon & Schuster are making a mistake by rushing the book to market in August. He said:

My better instincts are telling me to say “no comment,” but there is something terminally lame about a journalist whose whole job it is to advance stories and get people to talk to play the no comment card.

It is just an impossible situation for Joe. Impossible. I suspect that if he knew any of this, he never would have ever taken this book deal. There is no way to put a good face on this. Whether we want to admit it or not, there are commercial pressures. I think that I would have not have gone along with my publisher’s wishes to capitalize on the timeliness and rush the book out for late this summer. There is no way that was going to end cleanly; it just couldn’t be done. We all knew that this Freeh report was coming; we know there is going to be civil litigation; and more stuff is going to come out.

There is a business decision and I get that. There is a publisher that has made a significant investment. But I think sometimes you need to just fold at the poker table. Joe did not want to be Sara Ganim. Joe had a certain book in mind and his research was geared toward that and this was a huge hairpin turn. He did not want to own the story and start competing with Sara Ganim.

I’m not sure how anyone benefits with rushing a book out. It takes advantage of the timing, but it’s awful timing. It’s timing that basically just obliterates Joe Paterno. If I’m (Posnanski), I may have just cut bait. I also might have said let’s really take a step back and wait…I have a feeling this is not going to be pretty.

The great lesson that Paterno may have taught (a player) pales in comparison to the cover-up. People who read the book will say they don’t care about (his great deeds). I worry this will be the literary version of the Matt Millen fiasco.

It all seems really insignificant in the face of this horrible story. I like Joe (Posnanski) personally. I like Joe professionally. I would love to see him do this book in 2014 when all the facts come out. In 2012, boy, how do you release a book about a guy when bombs are going off? I don’t envy him, but I have a hard time seeing how this plays out when you have a book six weeks after such a damming report comes out.

Posnanski video for Paterno book has been removed

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I assume somebody at Simon & Schuster also decided the video Joe Posnanski did promoting Paterno was no longer appropriate.

As you can see when you hit play, it says: “This video has been removed by user.”

The video also can’t be found on Youtube (where it existed yesterday) and on the Amazon page for the book, which is where I saw it in the first place last week.

However, the video still can be seen on a Deadspin post that says Sports Illustrated decided to pass on running an excerpt on the book. Not sure why that’s the case. If I’m missing something here, please let me know.

Here’s the link of what I wrote earlier today about the video being off base in the wake of the Freeh Commission Report. Posnanski did the two-minute prior to last Thursday when Louis Freeh hammered Paterno and Penn State.

The video has a graphic with a header that reads: “Joe Paterno: Educator. Coach. Humanitarian.”

I’ve heard Paterno called many things in the last week, but “humanitarian” isn’t one of them.

Anyway, an interesting day for Posnanski and his book. Surely more to come in advance of the book being released Aug. 21.

 

 

Why did Sports Illustrated pass on Posnanski book excerpts?

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Here’s the latest as my site has become “Sherman on Paterno book” today:

According to Deadspin, Sports Illustrated passed on an opportunity to run excerpts from Posnanski’s Paterno book.  Deadspin said GQ will publish an excerpt from the book.

John Koblin writes:

But sources at (SI) who read Paterno in galleys say the biography is short on fresh details about the Jerry Sandusky scandal. And Posnanski apparently didn’t wring much out of Paterno that wasn’t already on the record, our sources say.

A source at SI told me after reading the manuscript, “it wasn’t very hard to turn down.”

Wow. Given Posnanski’s skill as a writer and reporter, I find it hard to believe that there isn’t enough compelling material to at least do an excerpt. Posnanski had access post-scandal through the final days of Paterno’s life. Did he really pull a complete whiff there?

Also, isn’t there some value from SI’s perspective to run an excerpt for what is the most anticipated sports book in years? Run the piece and let people judge for themselves. And keep in mind, Posnanski was a feature writer at SI before leaving earlier this year. He’s got friends in the building.

It doesn’t make sense to me. Was there more involved, such as money?

Then again, what if the book really isn’t that good? As I wrote earlier, Posnanski can’t be sleeping well these days.

 

 

 

 

Payton biographer thinks Posnanski should scrap Paterno book; says past quotes may haunt him

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Like me, Jeff Pearlman, who wrote the bestselling Walter Payton biography, has some concerns about Joe Posnanski’s ability to pull off the Joe Paterno book.

He writes on his blog:

 I scrap the whole thing. I put it aside, maybe wait a year or two, then—when the dust clears and the implications are more understood—I return and write a real biography. Joe is a wonderful writer and, by all accounts, a good guy. I love his blog, and his pieces on infomercials are some of the funniest things I’ve ever read. I can’t say this enough times—Joe is terrific. A genuine wordsmith.

But there is no possible way, one month removed from a report that details Joe Paterno’s knowledge of a pedophile roaming the Penn State campus (and his refusal to do anything about it, when he clearly could/should have), a proper biography can be released. No. Possible. Way.

Can’t happen.

Given that the book is expected to be a bestseller, it is highly unlikely Simon & Schuster will ditch the project at this late date. Publishers like bestsellers.

Pearlman also has concerns about a session Posnanski did with a communications class at Penn State last December. Posnanski defended Paterno at the time.

Pearlman said a person in the class put out the following tweets, quoting Posnanski.

“I think [Paterno] is a scapegoat. I definitely think that…I think he tried to do the right thing, and the right thing didn’t happen.”

“A lot of people came here to bury Joe. As a writer, I’m mad with that, as someone who’s come to know the Paternos, I’m heartbroken.”

“The only thing people remember about Woody Hayes is that he hit a player. I don’t want that to happen to Joe. He didn’t hit a player.”

Pearlman then writes:

Those words might come to haunt Posnanski. And, perhaps, they should. Journalists are allowed to like their subjects, and even become sympathetic (and empathetic) toward them. There is a line, however, that can’t be crossed; the line when you go from enjoying someone to irrationally and inappropriately defending someone. Clearly, at the time Joe Posnanski didn’t know enough, and didn’t have his facts correct. He blasted his peers in the media, without realizing that, just maybe, they were right and he was wrong; that perhaps the coach he had come to admire and (it seems) love wasn’t worthy of the affection.

Again, I’m a great admirer of Posnanski’s work. But I can’t imagine he’s getting much sleep these days.

 

 

 

Posnanski video promo for new Paterno book now seems off base; ‘Humanitarian’?

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The countdown is on for the most anticipated sports book of the year: Joe Posnanski’s biography Paterno.

Published by Simon & Schuster, the 416-page book is due out on Aug. 21. The former Sports Illustrated writer spent a year in State College with the initial intention of trying to encapsulate the coach’s life and career.

Then of course, it all blew up last November. Then it even exploded more last week.

Here a video preview Posnanski did for the book prior to the news of the Freeh Commission. It now seems terribly outdated, doesn’t it?

The video has a graphic with a header that reads: “Joe Paterno: Educator. Coach. Humanitarian.”

I’ve heard Paterno called many things in the past week, but “humanitarian” isn’t one of them. There’s also a picture of the statue that many people now want to tear down.

In the video, Posnanski acknowledges the scandal and says, “I hope to get somewhere closer to the truth.”

Yet I wonder how people will accept Posnanski’s version of the truth? Consider the following statement on the video:

He was a fascinating, deep, not flawless, but generally decent person who tried to do a lot in his life…To me, the one thing Joe Paterno stood for was making an impact. An impact in people’s lives, an impact on community, an impact on a college. That’s what is most significant about him.

Keep in mind, this video with Posnanski was released before the Freeh Commission came out last week. However, you have to think with a publish date coming up in five weeks, this book is mostly in the can. I’m sure Posnanski will have some quick reaction to the Freeh Report, but I doubt it will change the scope of the entire book.

From listening to Posnanski’s interview, it certainly appears as if the book will have a somewhat sympathetic tone towards Paterno. He spent considerable time with the coach and was there with the family when he died in January. Definitely bonds were formed.

Simon & Schuster’s preview of the book concludes with this positive theme:

Written with unprecedented access, Paterno gets inside the mind of one of America’s most brilliant and charismatic coaches.

Considering the outrage against Paterno, I don’t think people are in the mood to read about a “brilliant and charismatic” coach, about lessons taught to his players by the great teacher. An impact? Let’s talk about the impact Paterno’s actions had on the lives of the young boys who were subjected to the horrors of Jerry Sandusky.

People are so angry, all the records and other good deeds seem so insignificant right now.

Posnanski has a popular blog. His last entry came Tuesday from the All-Star Game. He didn’t write about post about the Freeh Commission. His only comment was a tweet:

I dedicated myself to write the most honest book I could about Joe Paterno. Everything I have to say about his life is in it.

Posnanski is a terrific writer, and he may pull off this high wire act in his book. However, if I’m Posnanski and Simon & Schuster, I would update that promo video.