Another one to ESPN

The Raleigh News & Observer backed off gameday coverage when they both fell under the McClatchy umbrella.

 

I'm sure the N&O is simply running the Charlotte Observer's Panthers stuff.

You've got to love working for ESPN and not having to live in Bristol.

 

Then there's not working for ESPN and not living in Bristol. That's not so bad, either.

 

when was the last time a big name writer/reporter/columnist switched papers ... instead of switching from a paper to a web site?

 

Actually, the N&O did work the Panthers beat for a few years with Viv Bernstein, but eventually did away with the beat and used Darin Gantt's stuff down in Rock Hill.

So now ... does the Observer move Stan Olson up, use Gantt's work or in no particular order make them the 1-2 writers? Stay Tuned.

 

My guess is Charlotte negotiates something with Rock Hill for Gantt. If Gantt wants to do it. I think he's fielded overtures from Charlotte in the past. Could be wrong, though.

 

When was the last time a big-name newspaper sought to improve coverage and not just cut costs?

 

Also, how many of these big names who are going to ESPN, Sportsline, Yahoo, SI ... are being replaced?

I hope these guys are all getting three-year contracts. The majority of the guys being hired are top notch, but I can't help but wonder if in a year or so, ESPN is going to look at what it's spending and just start letting some people go...

I can't believe they have a need for all of these people...

 

Funny, that's what The CEO said to The Publisher about Their Editors' Newsroom. About a thousand times in a hundred places in 2007.

 

This won't be the last man/woman to ESPN.com. A friend of mine talked with them about a gig and says they're hiring people to cover every division in the NFL and every major conference in college football. They're all contract hires -- a couple years with options -- but there will be more names coming before long.

 

Here's Pat's farewell column:

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/433917.html