The Athletic ... any thoughts ...

[JC]

Not all recognizable talent is old. Easily could have hired a smart analytics guy like Bill Connelly or one of the PFF guys and I'd bet more people would pay to subscribe for that than a generalist former USA Today columnist.

They hired a bunch of analytic guys on the hockey side.

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

They hired a bunch of analytic guys on the hockey side.

That's going to be an interesting one for me. Some of these guys have strong online followings, but I'm curious to see if people will pay for them. Viewers reacted very negatively to our "advanced metrics" segments on TV. We stopped them.

 

[JC]

That's going to be an interesting one for me. Some of these guys have strong online followings, but I'm curious to see if people will pay for them. Viewers reacted very negatively to our "advanced metrics" segments on TV. We stopped them.

Some of it is far to involved and loses me. I have no doubt the stuff Dellow does is useful but it's a complete bore to me.

 

[Fran Curci]

In addition to Phil Taylor, the Bay Area site's first two hires were Japanese-American and African-American columnists. And I saw Chantel Jennings (formerly of ESPN) wrote an entertaining oral history of Harbaugh's Saved By The Bell appearance for the national CFB site.

I haven't looked at the roster across the nation, but I don't think the diversity criticism holds up. However, if what you're after is for a new site to assume that unknown and unproven writers are the way to attract readership, you're probably not going to be fulfilled there.

Based on his name, I assume Cubs beat writer is of Asian-American descent.

 

[Moderator1]

New site The Athletic reflects old sports media diversity problem

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

New site The Athletic reflects old sports media diversity problem

There's definitely is some "perception is reality" issues but I think the criticism the Athletic is getting holds up.

How many of their full-time jobs were actually posted for applicants to send things in and at least have the opportunity to have their clips read and possibly get a phone interview at the least? Who is doing the hiring? How did they get into that position and how did they decide who filled what roles? Clearly they are targeting certain writers and I understand that. I understand starting a CFB web project and wanting a "dream team" of writers that he liked or that were friends of his or had strong social media followings. But that sort of insider hiring is a problem. It's a problem for anyone that is looking for another opportunity be it black, white, Asian, young, old, male or female and isn't part of the various little circles of writers that's developing around the business.

I heard after the social media shaming that another writer was promoted from freelancer to full time but if he/she were given a legitimate opportunity to get a full-time position in the first place he/she certainly has the ability and skills to earn it without feeling like it was handed over out of pressure or shame.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Diversity in staff has never proven to be a boon to circulation in any way. When the venture's entire existence depends on drawing subscribers, I'd imagine it would be even more irrelevant as a business concern.

It's a nice thing to talk about at journalism conventions. Has no bearing on the bottom line.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

That's kind of my thought, though as a 36-year-old white guy I admit I might not value diversity as much as some.

But if you are launching a college basketball site and can get Andy Katz, for instance, you'd be crazy not get him. Even if it leaves you unable to get as much fresh talent. If this venture is making tons of money in a few years, that's a different story. But going out of business doesn't help anybody.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Diversity in staff has never proven to be a boon to circulation in any way. When the venture's entire existence depends on drawing subscribers, I'd imagine it would be even more irrelevant as a business concern.

It's a nice thing to talk about at journalism conventions. Has no bearing on the bottom line.

And I'm never seen proof that having an all-white staff brings in additional revenue. When I hear a news outlet is going out of business because there's too much diversity on the staff I'll admit I was wrong.

 

[QYFW]

Journalists, regardless of race, don't help the bottom line.

 

[Alma]

New site The Athletic reflects old sports media diversity problem

It's legitimate criticism for any national site.

When you start talking about % of jobs...look...I've worked in a few smaller shops along the way. Jobs were posted. People applied. More than once, an African American wasn't among the applicants.

 

[tapintoamerica]

I've always thought it was a bit silly and hypocritical for white guys, of whom I am one, to complain about the diversity in newsrooms. If this is such an awful problem, I thought, why don't you do something about it? Like, you know, quit and create an opportunity for the underrepresented.
The larger issue is when white guys in management would talk about it. You, I thought, are the only people in the building who can really do something about it. So do it.
The root of the issue -- or one of them -- is that the low minors of the business are often white and rural and therefore not the sort of places minority candidates would prefer to live. I imagine it's hard enough being a member of a minority group in a large metro area.