The Athletic layoffs

With what money? Tech bros ain't gonna sell low until they have no choice. I cringed at the thought of The Maven fuckers buying it, but they'll probably be toast before long. My guess is ESPN or Fox swoops in low at some point, but I doubt that's anytime soon. Maybe next year when some of the original contracts begin expiring?

 

I don't really give two shits about Jay Mariotti, one way or the other, but day-um ... I love what you wrote.

 

To keep up on Vanderbilt sports...

 

I didn't know they put pamphlets online these days.

 

I feel for the Titans guy. I understanding whacking MMA coverage. They must have overestimated interest. But if you're whacked and your beat is clearly of interest, it's got to be hard not to take it as a repudiation of your work. And I have a hard time believing his work was worthy of his execution.
It's not a good look, and it's probably highly unjust.

 

I would hope not. But the outcry from viewers when Wimbledon semifinals pre-empted "First Take" a few years ago was downright depressing.

 

Does the Athletic still employ a Vanderbilt beat writer? What about a Predators writer?

 

I don't know bc I let my subscription expire. But this offer that came today might entice me to re-up:

 

Honestly, I found this story to be pretty spot-on. Feelings about Mariotti and his big-name columnist idea aside - I definitely wouldn't have went that route - it was a reasoned take. I think his personal experiences with the Athletic people made it a little whiny, but whatever. I've always struggled with how to feel about it. I have acquaintances there who I want to succeed but I've grown tired of the "holier and hipper than thou" approach that seems to permeate from the place. The comments about newspapers bleeding out wasn't a good look, but you know what? They should think that way. And I wouldn't blame anybody on this side for saying they want the Athletic to fall flat on its face. The operation seems cliquish from the outside and capitalizing on the kind of no-substance stuff that we're always saying we want to get rid of. The difference is that the Athletic dresses it up with over-writing, artsy headlines and social media presence with sharing. The papers go the click-bait route.

That being said, there are some incredibly talented writers and reporters there. The Athletic has made huge in roads in the industry. No idea if it's sustainable and it wouldn't surprise me if it's a boom or bust kinda thing. Boom, it takes over for once and all - I felt they were headed that way until the recent reductions, where they'd become an essential one-stop shop for sports fans - bust, the cuts just keep coming.

 

Also, the whole thing with CAA makes my skin crawl.

 

Why would anyone want it to fall flat on its face? Newspapers are already doing a great job of that. Do we just want the whole profession to cease to exist? I'm rooting for any business that is going to put real money behind trying something new and investing in talented people. It's our only hope.