Why is most sportswriting so bad?

James Bond thought Christmas only came once a year.

 

The great majority of people can't write their way out of a paper bag, and it stands to reason that a certain percentage of such folks will inevitably be employed as professional writers.

 

One reason writing might not be as good as it used to be is that most papers are more interested in having writers blog, do videos and lay out pages. In short, they hire writers to do everything but write. And if you don't write, it stands to reason that part of the job might suffer.

 

Sportswriting isn't getting worse. We're just seeing more of it. In the span of about 15 years, we've gone from having access to sportswriting from national publications and magazines to every Podunk Press, blogger, and obscure resource possible.

Yes, there is a problem in our education system when it comes to quality writing. Yes, the emergence of ESPN as a monolith in sports journalism has changed how we do things.

But bad sportswriting has always been around. We're just noticing it more.

 

My take is that too many sports writers, likely at smaller papers with little quality editing, are more interested in the sports than good reporting and concise, no-nonsense writing. The few years I spent in sports helped my writing once I went back to the news side -- I use stronger action verbs, dropped a lot of passive tense usage and used more descriptive language -- but I was also careful to not pick up any bad habits.

 

Why would a writer be in a paper bag? Oh, he was probably in there searching for a mixed metaphor.

 

Well if most sportswriting is bad and it's because too many sportswriters watch Tv, then most sportswriting must have been good before TV.

But I doubt it.

 

Why do people grab one story and make it an example for an entire industry?

 

Count me in the 10 percent. I read lots of military history as well novels. Post apocalyptic is my favorite genre for novels.

 

I agree. I usually only read the newspaper and SI on sports, except for the periodic book. Usually, I read historical books by guys like David McCullough.

 

What's scary are the rote regurgitations which comprise the majority of what
Real Clear Sports picks up . . . scary, scary.

 

This was a great overlooked post, Dan...