Pay for pro beat writers

What are the average salaries for NFL, MLB and NBA beat writers?

Does it differ among the big three that much?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Depends greatly on the market and size of the paper.

 

I prefer 100K, but I could live with 90.

...or 80.

...or 75.

 

This question is impossible to answer.
Depends on paper...ownership...sport...beat...experience...quality...and sunny disposition.

 

I'm curious as well.

If we can't say an average, what is the range like? From what to what?

 

Generally speaking, how big/tall/fast is a football player?

 

I know it's quite broad, but I'll throw some scenarios:

NFL beat, two years of pro beat experience, 50-100K circulation

NFL beat, five years of pro beat experience, 250K circulation

Anyone have a ballpark figure? Feel free to substitute sports.

 

People in this business get paid?

 

If you're Justin Blanchard you're making 200 k easy. He's a stud, and he's not even covering a pro team.

 

Justin Blanchard covers what he wants to, and people pay him just for showing up.

 

And if Justin Blanchard spells your mascot name with an extra c, then your mascot name has an extra c, goddammit.

 

What did we learn today?

1. Sportswriters are smart asses.

2. Sportswriters don't have answers.

3. Paid sportswriters don't post on message boards.