A sports department in Mississippi is essentially dead

[Irvin Magic Favre]

The Sun Herald in Biloxi-Gulfport is laying off its sports/features editor and its longest-tenured sports writer. One sports writer is moving to news and the only other member of the four-man staff is going solo, so to speak. He will be the paper's only sports writer. For decades, the Sun Herald has prided itself on high school sports coverage, and now, from what I understand, the paper will no longer cover high school games. These moves come one year after I retired from the paper, where I spent most of my career in sports. What do you think of these moves?

 

[BTExpress]

I think it's just a minor downturn because of a terrible economy, and the paper will come back bigger and better than ever!

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

I think it's just a minor downturn because of a terrible economy, and the paper will come back bigger and better than ever!

It's hopeless.

 

[albert777]

My old shop did the same thing about three months ago.

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

All of this makes me mad and sad.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Is there an article about it here?

Crime News | SunHerald.com & SunHerald

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

That's funny! It should be in Crime News!

 

[fossywriter8]

I'm sure a consulting firm was paid big bucks to tell the powers that be they would save a bunch of money by doing the above, but will be long gone when the complaints roll in and the subscriptions drop.

 

[cjericho]

It's hopeless.

Ummm, think BT realizes that and was being sarcastic.

 

[Bronco77]

Did the obligatory "exciting times" memo accompany the layoffs?

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

I never saw the memo. Maybe someone will send me a copy.

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

Ummm, think BT realizes that and was being sarcastic.

I've re-activated my sarcasm detector. I'm just bummed out this is happening.

 

[Vombatus]

I've re-activated my sarcasm detector. I'm just bummed out this is happening.

Well, at least you retired first. This could have been happening directly to you.

 

[Bamadog]

Those in charge think the news hole can be filled with cheap stringers, AP and other outside copy. Since the deadlines are so earlier since the paper is printed three hours away in Jackson, I guess they figure the average reader won't miss it or will read about the War on the Shore on Facebook.

I remember when that section had a Saints beat writer who doubled as the Sea Wolves (ECHL hockey team that folded) writer, a columnist, a Southern Miss beat writer, a sports editor, a prep guy, a night editor (before I was laid off in 2008) and an agate clerk. Now there are 12,000 circulation papers with bigger staffs.

 

[fossywriter8]

Now there are 12,000 circulation papers with bigger staffs.

My paper in northwest Ohio is under 10,000. We have two full-timers (including the sports editor), two part-timers (including me) and two stringers covering 14 high schools, a Division II college and a Division III college.

 

[Liut]

The Sun Herald in Biloxi-Gulfport is laying off its sports/features editor and its longest-tenured sports writer. One sports writer is moving to news and the only other member of the four-man staff is going solo, so to speak. He will be the paper's only sports writer. For decades, the Sun Herald has prided itself on high school sports coverage, and now, from what I understand, the paper will no longer cover high school games. These moves come one year after I retired from the paper, where I spent most of my career in sports. What do you think of these moves?

Um, Captain?

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

The Captain retired a couple of years ago.

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

Those in charge think the news hole can be filled with cheap stringers, AP and other outside copy. Since the deadlines are so earlier since the paper is printed three hours away in Jackson, I guess they figure the average reader won't miss it or will read about the War on the Shore on Facebook.

I remember when that section had a Saints beat writer who doubled as the Sea Wolves (ECHL hockey team that folded) writer, a columnist, a Southern Miss beat writer, a sports editor, a prep guy, a night editor (before I was laid off in 2008) and an agate clerk. Now there are 12,000 circulation papers with bigger staffs.

That is correct, sir. I posted more about Sun Herald sports on my blog Wednesday.
The end of Sun Herald sports as we know it - Pictures of Tilly

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

That's funny! It should be in Crime News!

I wanted to use a Crime News tag for my latest blog post.
The end of Sun Herald sports as we know it - Pictures of Tilly

 

[Irvin Magic Favre]

Did the obligatory "exciting times" memo accompany the layoffs?

It's "newsroom reinvention." I mention it in my latest blog post.
The end of Sun Herald sports as we know it - Pictures of Tilly