Tennessean happyspeak

What nobody much is going to talk about is that many of those who remain had to take pay cuts.

I can't address the situation in sports, and I'll fuzz the details to protect the innocent, but a titled editor of long tenure making north of $70K was offered a "rehire" in Nashville at less than $50k.

 

The Tennessean has a new Predators beat writer (and I'll be over here in the corner cringing at how he was introduced.)

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2014/09/21/covering-preds-dream-beat-hockey-writer-eric-stromgren/15997741/

 

Ugh and pretty clear no one edits copy there.

"Restructing"

 

This editor spends time describing the new Preds beat writer (producer? content driver? fan?) but offers nothing about his background other than he did web work, video production, social media/apps, and was an eager hockey fan from Minnesota.

That's it? Nothing about his background of covering sports? Prior stops? His history with covering a professional sports league anywhere else?

 

He's willing to work himself to the bone for a shitty salary and no job security. That's all Gannett cares about.

 

"We've hired a new hockey beat writer. By way of introducing him, let me spend the first 6 or 8 paragraphs talking about myself."

 

Also, make it clear you don't give a shit about the local team you just hired someone to cover. But, it's very nice that you'll "see" if they grow on you or not.

 

The editor also talks about how this employee is moving into the beat as part of the "new newsroom", which is supposedly featuring more reporters and columnists. But what about his former job? Is that getting filled as well? Is it a job that isn't necessary? How are readers getting more when that job is being unfilled?

Please, Ms. Editor, just shut up.

 

Eric Stromgren, the new Predators beat writer, tweeted today that he covered 15-20 Minnesota Wild games over the years and some playoff games, along with a total of hundreds of high school, college and North American Hockey League games.

How does that background compare to other beat NHL beat writers for the No. 1 paper in the market?

 

I think that's completely irrelevant, because Stefanie Murray was in the locker room when the Wings won the Cup in 2002.

Eric isn't mentioned until the fifth graf of that abortion of a beat writer introduction. But by my quick count, there were 17 "I" "me" and "my" references in the first 7 grafs. Wonder how many readers made it past the 7th graf?

Oh, and "restructuring" is still "restructing" in the story. I'd expect a better reaction from a "nimble, innovative, consumer-focused organization."

 

"Nimble" apparently is the new "crisp" in exec-speak.

 

How does it compare to the background of the person who got laid off earlier this month so they could hire this guy? I'm glad you asked. Josh Cooper had the beat from August 2010 until a few weeks ago, so far more NHL beat experience, and four years on this beat.