Canzano out at The Oregonian

Not always my cup of tea. But a major player in PNW journalism.

https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2...3fiHCKRWv6_19SrCG76-5jfTAWw14Uz8LQdRd-4QTZdVw

 

He wants you to subscribe to his newsletter:

 

Weird timing. They just flipped his Portland radio show to drive time to make way for the Maggie Gray/Andrew Perloff midday show (I really wonder if there was THAT much demand for that). It will be interesting to see if or who the O brings in a new writer - Canzano has pretty much been the writer who could put something in print and cause a stir. His jihad against Larry Scott was legendary, he'll mix in his take downs with a soft human interest bit on some fan with an affliction. Duck fans are convinced he hates the Ducks because he isn't on the bandwagon 100 percent of the time.

 

Was just coming here to post this. A very big move, no doubt. One of the most important columnists in the nation, if we're being honest, at a time when few have the impact they once did.

 

I'm not intrigued by his ideas.

 

Even by the standards of the remains of Newhouse, that is a remarkably emaciated “news” story.

 

Well, they did mention his awards and a "farewell" quote from the editor. I almost think some of it now is a) print's reduced visibility and frequency b) even with digital, I imagine some companies throttle some of what staffers want thrown on line, and if you can't get what you want "out there" when you want to - it can be frustrating. Particularly to someone with a radio show who has no barriers expressing himself on that end. And when you are hiding some stuff behind a paywall, it limits your impact (aka, if a tree falls and nobody hears it....).

 

Without doing a survey, my first impression is that columnists such as Canzano don't regain their reach or status after leaving a newspaper. For all the decline in that world, it offers a forum and a connection with readers that is hard to duplicate covering local stories as a solo act. I hope it goes well for him.

 

Yeah - I'm guessing when he calls people now, wanting some info or to get in touch with someone saying "...with the Bald Faced Truth" will get a different response than with "...the Oregonian." He had a big footprint and was also a contributor to the top local TV station in town, but he's not on that website anymore either and I think its a recent development. He also has a foundation that helps kids afford arts and sports programs. It's a good cause no doubt, but he's drafted off of his connections to recruit donations from organizations and people he may (or may not) be writing about in the future.

 

Don't bet against Canzano. That dude has more sources than most reporters. There are plenty of movers and shakers within the Pac-12 footprint who are following what he's doing.

 

It also should be noted his radio show is simulcast on a Eugene sports talk station - (perhaps others).