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USA TODAY losing all NBA Reporters

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by dcdream, Dec 10, 2007.

  1. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member

    It's bizarre, primarily because it's a cluster-bomb of their NBA coverage.

    But in terms of anal-retentives cheapening the product, while expecting morons to keep buying it at the same rate . . . Gannett, baby.
     
  2. SF_Express

    SF_Express Active Member

    Geez, Ace, assuming you're not missing the sarcasm font, even in times like these, a million-plus national newspaper with RISING circulation losing its entire NBA reporting staff, and all of them being allowed to go, is not ordinary, unless my scrutiny of the business hasn't been nearly as good as I've thought over the past five years.
     
  3. steveu

    steveu Well-Known Member

    I wonder if there will be some restructuring and a little relying on AP. Does USA TODAY use staffers for the NHL?

    It's kind of a slippery slope -- it could give other papers "bright" ideas. I'm not an NBA fan at all, but from a writer's perspective I still think it stinks.
     
  4. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    Just because the folks who took the buyout were covering the NBA doesn't mean they won't cover the NBA. I assume they will simply shuffle the survivors around.

    Unless USA Today specifically structured the buyouts so only NBA writers were eligible.
     
  5. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member

    Wholly expect them to slot new folks into the NBA coverage.

    Cheaper folks, of course.

    Gannett, baby.
     
  6. Bob_Jelloneck

    Bob_Jelloneck Member

    Nice to see they're following my advice as an "industry consultant."

    Happy Holidays. You know, Chemotherapy can be Fun!! :D :D
     
  7. BillyT

    BillyT Active Member

    What does race have to . . . have to do with it?
     
  8. ColbertNation

    ColbertNation Member

    Nothing as far as I can tell. Perhaps just an interesting sidenote (i.e. Despite the industry push for diversity, the bottom line always wins out).
     
  9. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    The item is from a blogger who takes particular note of African-Americans in the media.
     
  10. Monroe Stahr

    Monroe Stahr Member

    USA Today has an audience. It's just not the same one everyday.
     
  11. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    Maybe I was wrong to make light of the situation.
    Lord knows, in 19 years of doing this, I've seen 11 rounds of buyouts/layoffs/separations/voluntary separations/involuntary separations at various stops. I've seen parking passes not work. Badges not work. Sign ons not work. I've seen coworkers tapped on the shoulder. I've seen it all.
    The current industry trend is to replace the veterans. And when a company -- or a corporation -- offers buyouts, they run the risk of this situation occurring. USA Today will reshuffle. Perhaps need to backhire.
    But, this is what they will do. There won't be four experienced journalists. There might be three. And they will be at lesser salary.
     
  12. tapintoamerica

    tapintoamerica Well-Known Member

    There's only one funny thing about this: That the suits' desperation to run people out of there has simultaneously stripped their sports section of all the expertise on a mainstream sport. I hope they're sweating.
     
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