Big, big changes at USA TODAY

[geddymurphy]

I'm not comfortable posting names until they're more public, but some really surprising people are departing USA TODAY as Morgan swings his ax. Yikes. Stay tuned.

 

[dooley_womack1]

Wonder if it's a purge of people still there from when I was a loaner there more than 20 years ago.

 

[Mark2010]

Bailing or getting pushed off the ledge?

 

[geddymurphy]

Bailing or getting pushed off the ledge?

Pushed.

 

[Moderator1]

I heard a few possibilities last week, wasn't sure whether to believe it.

 

[Dyno]

From today's Sports Business Daily's Closing Bell:

USA Today Sports Media Group Restructuring Editorial Staff

USA Today Sports Media Group has enacted a significant restructuring of its editorial roster that has resulted in the departures of about a dozen veteran staffers of the media outlet, including sports business and media writer Michael McCarthy and "Game On" blogger Tom Weir. Company officials declined to say how many staffers overall were affected in the move.

 

[BlackBerry]

Sad to see anyone lose their job. I especially enjoyed McCarthy's contributions.

 

[steveu]

Jesus H. Tapdancin' Christ. A lot of good names, it sounds like, are headed out based on the sampling above. I wonder if this extends to inside the other sections. Hate to see them lose Robert Bianco, one of the last remaining decent TV critics a newspaper has.

 

[CNY]

Is USAT going to hire a bunch of people to replace those who got cut? Seems like they're leaving themselves open for a lawsuit.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Is USAT going to hire a bunch of people to replace those who got cut? Seems like they're leaving themselves open for a lawsuit.

How?

 

[Ace]

Is USAT going to hire a bunch of people to replace those who got cut? Seems like they're leaving themselves open for a lawsuit.

Restructuring doesn't really mean moving people around to make your operation work better. It means getting rid of salaries to protect the excessive bonuses of corporate execs, no matter the cost to the product.

 

[geddymurphy]

Is USAT going to hire a bunch of people to replace those who got cut? Seems like they're leaving themselves open for a lawsuit.

Restructuring doesn't really mean moving people around to make your operation work better. It means getting rid of salaries to protect the excessive bonuses of corporate execs, no matter the cost to the product.

Some of them are definitely older, and it's a salary dump.

Some aren't.

 

[Bruhman]

I'm reminded of the scene from Goodfellas after Joe Pesci's character was whacked. Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro's characters are shown grieving - as much as goodfellas can - and Liotta comments how they just have to take it and there was nothing they could do.

I saw a report that 15 were left go today, including somone who was there when I reported to work nearly 27 years ago. I can only imagine some of the other names. Damn, damn, damn. This isht sucks.

 

[Riptide]

“This process was about redefining and reimagining Sports and the roles within it to create a center of excellence and build a great sports franchise,” said USA Today Sports Media Group President Tom Beusse. “With this new structure, we are now well-positioned to operate in a 24-7 digital environment. This is a major step forward.”

Another spectacular quote from an executive-slash-spin-doctor.

http://shermanreport.com/layoffs-in-usa-today-sports-mccarthy-weir-pedulla-out/

 

[Flying Headbutt]

My understanding is everyone was told to reapply for their jobs. I only know one guy over there, but he's a good and decent guy so I hope he's still working. That said, it still sucks bad for everyone over there.

 

[geddymurphy]

Those three are maybe 25 percent of the total list in sports.

I understand some of it. That department hasn't responded well to the challenges of the 21st century. I understand going smaller, and I understand reshaping the staff.

Some of the cuts are absolute nonsense. And their handling of things has been rather ridiculous.

 

[Mark2010]

“This process was about redefining and reimagining Sports and the roles within it to create a center of excellence and build a great sports franchise,” said USA Today Sports Media Group President Tom Beusse. “With this new structure, we are now well-positioned to operate in a 24-7 digital environment. This is a major step forward.”

Another spectacular quote from an executive-slash-spin-doctor.

http://shermanreport.com/layoffs-in-usa-today-sports-mccarthy-weir-pedulla-out/

That is so much **** I can smell it from here (2,000 miles away). It's about "we ain't making as much money as we want to, so let's cut some expensive employees and see what that will do for the bottom line". THAT'S what it is really about it. Dare you to prove me wrong.

 

[LongTimeListener]

“This process was about redefining and reimagining Sports and the roles within it to create a center of excellence and build a great sports franchise,” said USA Today Sports Media Group President Tom Beusse. “With this new structure, we are now well-positioned to operate in a 24-7 digital environment. This is a major step forward.”

Another spectacular quote from an executive-slash-spin-doctor.

http://shermanreport.com/layoffs-in-usa-today-sports-mccarthy-weir-pedulla-out/

That is so much **** I can smell it from here (2,000 miles away). It's about "we ain't making as much money as we want to, so let's cut some expensive employees and see what that will do for the bottom line". THAT'S what it is really about it. Dare you to prove me wrong.

Are you legally required to be at least 2,000 miles away from Washington D.C. at all times?

 

[Zeke12]

No, he heard The Blacks live there.

 

[imjustagirl]

“This process was about redefining and reimagining Sports and the roles within it to create a center of excellence and build a great sports franchise,” said USA Today Sports Media Group President Tom Beusse. “With this new structure, we are now well-positioned to operate in a 24-7 digital environment. This is a major step forward.”

Another spectacular quote from an executive-slash-spin-doctor.

http://shermanreport.com/layoffs-in-usa-today-sports-mccarthy-weir-pedulla-out/

That is so much **** I can smell it from here (2,000 miles away). It's about "we ain't making as much money as we want to, so let's cut some expensive employees and see what that will do for the bottom line". THAT'S what it is really about it. Dare you to prove me wrong.

Are you legally required to be at least 2,000 miles away from Washington D.C. at all times?

Ted Kaczynski's cabin was 2,164 miles from Washington D.C.

Coincidence?