Rick Reilly had $3.4 million reasons to leave SI for ESPN

It's gotta be nice to be a sportswriter and actually make more money than a few of the athletes you cover.

http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/12/how-to-make-money-in-old-media-stay-in-old-media.html

 

No journalist is worth that. None. Ernest Hemingway isn't worth that. Riles better have a book deal included and other revenue generating work. A strict contributer? Not worth. There is nothing he can write as a columnist that is worth that money.

Maybe this will trickle down to us? Maybe sports journalists have arrived and eventually the salary structure will trickle down.

I somehow doubt it.

 

Bill Simmons had a cold today.

 

We need to have this discussion again?

Who cares how much he's making?

I'm glad for him. Hell, I hope to make that sort of money one day, though I'm doubting it.

No need to begrudge him.

Apparently ESPN thinks he is "worth it."

 

Once again, no relief pitcher (I'm looking at you, Eric Gange) is worth $10 million a year. But the free market allows for it. You're worth what people will pay. It's the backbone of economics.

 

Outstanding.

 

I can say from personal experience on both sides of the question that a sudden bump in sportswriter salaries NEVER trickles down.

 

I'm no Reilly fan. In fact I dislike his stuff and think he's an annoying, smarmy grandstander who phones it in most of the time.

But sure he's worth it if ESPN believes he's worth it. And, no, it won't, nor should it, trickle down to anyone else. If his presence can drive subscriptions, he's worth every dime before he writes a paragraph. When you can move the needle you get paid, simple as that.

 

If the ad next to his column sells for a million a week, you are getting a bargain on the guy.
just sayin' ...

 

Now I know what kind of raise to ask for at my next evaluation.

 

You are worth what someone is willing to pay. More power to him.

 

Everybody has a price -- now we know what Rick's price is.