I heard more than my share of gallows humor when I attended the Associated Press Sports Editors annual meeting last month in Chicago.
I listened to a group of editors discussing their coverage for the upcoming Olympics in London. When somebody mentioned the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, an editor for a major paper said, “I just hope we’re around in 2014.”
It wasn’t the only time I heard a crack of that nature.
Indeed, it isn’t easy to be a sports editor these days. For many, it is a matter of survival with painfully dwindling resources. Even today, there is news about Sports Illustrated making staff cuts.
Yet despite the adversity, an APSE survey reported: Sports editors “remain confident in the future of the industry by a 2-to-1 margin as they cope with new technology, changing reader habits, and a sluggish economy.”
To get sense of the mood of the association, I did a Q/A with new APSE president Gerry Ahern, director of news content for the USA Today Sports Media Group.
More than a few times at APSE, I heard editors say, “If we’re still around….” in an upcoming year. Gallows humor, to be sure. What is your sense of the mood of sports editors these days?
I think the mood of many sports editors in 2012 is far more positive than it has been in recent years. Some papers and websites are actually replenishing staff and other resources. Opportunities, at least in some markets, seem to be growing. Certainly, there are exceptions. When you see what’s happening in markets such as New Orleans you have to scratch your head. When you see media companies embroiled in bankruptcy you naturally and legitimately worry about what’s next. Clearly, the days of the one-trick, print pony are long gone.
Reporters and editors have to have quick-twitch, digital skills and focus on delivering original content distinct to their markets. Advertising support on all platforms has to pick up. The folks who are doing that are seeing gains. The thirst for sports news and information isn’t dwindling, it’s expanding. But readers/users want the information delivered in the fashion they want, when they want it. Our ability to serve their needs, on tablets, mobile devices, etc. will ultimately determine who succeeds.
How difficult have the last few years been for editors, especially the aspect of having to let go of staff?
It’s been quite difficult. It’s never easy to have to let go of staffers, especially those who have contributed to past successes. But again those journalists who have adapted to the digital-first landscape and demands given to us by those who consume media are the folks who give us all the best chance to thrive and survive in an ultra-competitive era.
What are the biggest challenges going forward for sports sections?
One huge challenge is to maintain proper professional and ethical standards in a time where the news cycle is 24-7 and the field we compete against is not all playing by the same rules. There have been incidents, such as with Joe Paterno’s death, where some outlets let their zeal to be first outweigh taking proper steps to vet and verify information and sourcing. That should never happen. Not in print, not online, not with social media. Our credibility is at stake and if we lose that, we are sunk.
Given the rapid rise of websites at newspapers, what is the sports editors’ emphasis on these days? Print or Internet?
I think the best sports editors maintain focus on both. You can break incremental news on your site, provide some instant reaction and analysis, then add depth, perspective and exquisite storytelling in print and in later incarnations online.
Just how relevant is the newspaper sports section these days, given all the various platforms these days?
The relevance is in the brand, not necessarily the print product vs. the digital product. Who can readers/users count on to be credible, to be accurate, to be timely, to be fair? The outlets who continue to breaks news, provide informed commentary and analysis, investigate and uncover malfeasance have bright futures. I’m convinced of that.