uga beat at ajc

I've heard stories about the AJC having 10 writers at UGA football games.

How often do they travel two to Braves road games?

 

I never saw 10 at a Georgia game, but at a minimum you'd have Carter, Chip and a columnist -- and maybe one or two more for really big games.

 

That's an interesting thought. You may be right. I was trying to think of other possibilities ...

Charlotte? I was thinking ACC basketball might be, but I suppose the Panthers probably top that. I don't have a good feel for Charlotte's fanbase, though.

Memphis? Does UM basketball top the Grizzlies?

Orlando also came to mind with UF football vs. Magic basketball. Don't know about that one, though. Something about the culture in the South that makes this more likely there. You're certainly not going to see a college beat take precedence in the Northeast.

 

The Magic is the top beat at the Sentinel, probably because it's in their backyard. I'm guessing UF is a very close second.

Charlotte would be tough between the Panthers, NASCAR and college hoops. I think the distance from Charlotte to Chapel Hill and Durham keep it from being No. 1, even though it's obviously huge there.

 

I don't think the Grizzlies even rate No. 2 status at the C-A.
Memphis basketball is head and shoulders No. 1, followed by SEC football, then the Grizzlies.
UT football vs. the Titans is pretty interesting in Nashville. Depends on which team is winning.
I would have put Florida football over the Magic, but that's just me.
As far as Atlanta goes, it is such a screwy sports town, it is hard to say. But I'd guess that UGA is the top dawg. Sorry, I hate myself for that.

 

I wasn't even thinking about Memphis.

Orlando covers the hell out of the Magic. Only a few places do a better job on the NBA.

Nashville would be a hell of a debate.

 

A couple of years ago, I would have said UT football was the No. 1 beat in Nashville. Since Chris Low left, though, I really think they've de-prioritized that beat somewhat, for whatever reason. Don't know that for sure, just the impression I've gotten from people I've talked to. From what I've been told, their top focus seems to be the Titans, and the Predators are moving up fast on that list. UT is still probably No. 2, though.

 

Some updates / clarifications: We are not hiring from the outside for the UGA and Georgia Tech jobs at this time. If that changes, I will be back (immediately!) to post an update. For the record, we have never sent 10 people to a UGA game; the way we are set up now, there are 20 full time sports writers and columnists in my department. We traditionally have sent three reporters and a columnist to most UGA home games (6 to the annual UGA-Florida party/game) And for both of you out there wondering, I supervise all sports and feature reporters and editors, but not the "print" copy editors and designers, or the online producers.

The debate over the top beat here has always been a lively internal debate, too. When Vick was free and the Falcons were coming off a Super Bowl berth, there were many who said that was the top beat. Reader interest based on online traffic, if you like that barometer, clearly indicate that UGA and the Braves are the top beats. The Braves blog is the most popular of any blog on ajc.com and UGA news stories traditionally do the best among sports stories (and all news stories). It would be fun to see who would win between a Braves World Series run and a UGA national title run. Since I have been here (4+ years) I would argue these are our top four beats, all tied for No. 1: UGA, Braves, southern college football (Barnhart) and Falcons.

As for Carter, I am one of his biggest fans. I tried to hire him once before we both came to Atlanta. His rare combination of reporting skills, writing ability and passion for the beat is among the best I've ever worked with (he did indeed write about 1,500 stories, but it was over three football seasons as some have pointed out). And above it all, he is a great person. I will miss him and we will not be as good without him.

And finally, Schlabach was not nudged out. I very much wanted him here and tried very hard to get him to stay. Unfortunately, I didn't win them all.

 

20 full-time columnists and sports writers in Atlanta now, Ronnie?

I bet there were twice that many just a few years ago.

 

Some people got to be on contract and not counted in that 20.
Holy cats, that seems awfully low. I mean, really, really low.
I can think of half dozen papers, with smaller circs, that have larger staffs.
And dammit, you can't have a four-way tie. Pick one!