1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

BOTL - NBA Writer, Vancouver (WA) Columbian coming up

Discussion in 'Journalism Jobs' started by Moderator1, Jun 16, 2009.

  1. Actually, the Columbian is not only competing with the Oregonian for subscription sales in Clark County, but they're helping them out by delivering the Oregonian as well. That started up about a year ago, maybe a little more. Strange deal, but a sign of the times.

    And the papers aren't really competing editorially anymore. The O pulled its bureau out of Clark County when times went bad and only gives the area peripheral coverage. The Columbian owned Clark County news when the Oregonian was there, anyway. But the competition on the Blazers beat is a different story.
     
  2. micropolitan guy

    micropolitan guy Well-Known Member

    The way PDX is screwing the goose on the construction of a new stadium (and the new I-5 bridge, nothing ever gets done in Portland) for the PCL's Beavers, there's very, very preliminary speculation about Vancouver possibly building a stadium and having the franchise move across the river.

    PDX is also getting an MLS team in 2011. So there may be some interesting coverage possibilities in the future.
     
  3. gutenberg

    gutenberg Guest

    So let me get this straight: The paper is supposed to compete with The Oregonian on the Trail Blazers beat but didn't cover the road playoff games and doesn't cover regular-season road games and we're supposed to believe it's a committed paper?

    I know finances can be a problem in this day and age but from what I understand, this paper wasn't even covering road games in California and Utah during the so-called good era for the paper in the 1990s and earlier this decade.

    So sounds like you will be following up a lot of stories you get scooped on and having chatroom fans rip you all the time for being lazy when the real culprit is uninspired and cheap management and (just guessing here) an SE with no backbone who doesn't want to feel the wrath of the higher-ups by making a stand that a good newspaper COMPETES tooth and nail on the only pro beat in the wooded area.
     
  4. awriter

    awriter Active Member

    Whoa, hold on there. You're talking about a daily that in good times had a circulation of about 55,000, 60,000 -- not a major metropolitan paper. Or even a large suburban. In a strong economy, how many similar-sized papers were traveling to NBA road games, let alone now? Few, if any.

    True, The Oregonian has a major competitive advantage and will probably get more scoops than you. The higher-ups understand that and won't hold it against you. Your readers won't, either. You just bust your ass, get what you can. And why would you worry about chatroom fans ripping you?

    For the record, the sports editor has a spine. He also knows the difference between a stupid fight and one worth taking on.
     
  5. thesnowman

    thesnowman Member

    OMFG Guten, chatroom fans are my biggest concern these days too. Fricken n00bs LOLZERS
     
  6. Harry Doyle

    Harry Doyle Member

    I find it amazing how on this board people complain endlessly about the dearth of jobs, yet when one opens up in a good market, great city, on a beat with endless opportunity, it gets panned. It's absolutely legitimate to question the state of this paper, the lack of travel, etc. But this is still one of the best jobs to come across this board in months. I'd think people would be too busy preparing their cover letters to be debating the merits of this gig.
     
  7. awriter

    awriter Active Member

    Good point.
     
  8. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Sometimes the ones questioning the gig are just trying to throw others off the trail.
     
  9. FearThePotato

    FearThePotato New Member

    When would you guess this position comes open?
     
  10. Trunkmonkey

    Trunkmonkey Member

    It's open now. Let the flood begin. On APSE ...

    The award-winning Sports staff of The Columbian, Southwest Washington's largest newspaper is seeking a dynamic writer and reporter to cover the Portland Trail Blazers.
    We are looking for a writer with at least four years of experience in the Sports department of a daily paper, someone who can produce compelling features, in-depth game stories, intriguing columns, and insightful enterprise pieces from the Blazer beat and beyond. You must possess the ability to communicate clearly, quickly and accurately on deadline, while thriving in a competitive market.
    The beat includes coverage of practices and all home games, as well of production of a Blazer-specific blog and additional Web-only material. While the Blazers are the primary focus of the position, the reporter will be expected to produce general-assignment stories ranging from high schools to community sports during the team's down time.
    We offer an excellent compensation package that includes full benefits, 401(k) plan, 22 paid days off annually and a casual family oriented work environment. Interested candidates should send cover letter with salary history, resume and 10 clips to:
    The Columbian
    Attn: Denise Sandvig, HR
    P.O. Box 180
    Vancouver, WA 98660-0180
    Or e-mail to jobs@columbian.com
     
  11. hardin moose

    hardin moose Member

    Nerf can make anything.
     
  12. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    The proper acronym in the law enforcement community is BOLO.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page