Pat, I work at the ABC in Louisville (WHAS), do mainly news but fill in a bunch on sports, and what you just wrote makes me want to stand up and clap. I got out of sports because so many stations are cutting back, or slashing, sports ... were there more like you, I'd still be full-time sports.

Thank you for you blog post: Gives me faith there is still some sense left in this business!

Thank you, Pat.

I have often wondered how a consultant would react if someone said to him/her, "Hey, I've got a great idea to attract those younger viewers we so desperately want. We'll go to their local high schools and colleges, and shoot stories and features from events which often draw excited crowds of thousands."

"Now you're thinking!", the consultant will proudly exclaim. "THAT'LL put you on the radar of the next generation! What ARE these wondrous things? Science fairs? Tree-plantings? Bake sales?"

Imagine their shock and surprise when informed they're sports events.

I'm lucky. I've spent the better part of 25 years working at two solid stations with intelligent, faithful, top-rated audiences. Our viewers might torch & burn my current shop if we ever gassed sports. And our competitors would likely throw a party, toasting their sudden good fortune.

Obviously, the key is local, local, and local. Give 'em what ESPN won't. If you do it well, with professionalism and class, you'll develop a passionate audience which ANY consultant would be crazy to ignore.

Good luck in your search. And if one of your competitors ever axes its Sports Department -- let me know. I may just apply to your place, myself.

I would love to compete AGAINST a station with such little regard for its viewers.

Best,

Randy Steinman
Sports Director
CKCO-CTV Canada

I just wanted to applaud this post. If more news directors would think like this then maybe I would not be currently searching for a job. Sports jobs have become scarce, and I believe the lack of jobs has chased many good storytellers out of this business. Maybe some day we will see a shift back to larger sports departments focused on bringing the viewer those local stories. Those stories that ESPN either doesn't or can't cover.

-Garrett Gordon

I am in news and not interested in being a sports guy but I must stand up and applaud your post.

I am all for having a sportscast in local newscasts. I strongly second Randy in that I'd love to have a competitor who didn't do sports, we'd crush them. Why? Our viewers will often come up to me and compliment some story that our sports guys have done. Those local sports features stick, and if you stop doing them, the viewers will change the channel.

I hope you find that Sports Reporter Pat, good luck.

Rick Tillery
News Reporter
Lafayete, LA

Mr. Costello,

Tell Greg Bailey I said hi. I worked with him in Wichita. I work with my brother in Tulsa, OK. He would be a great asset to your station. I am trying to get him to send a tape to you.
Thanks for your passion for sports.

Everytime I turn on the news, I see and hear 10 stories about death, fear or terrorism. I believe, as the author Micheal Crichton points out, that we are living in a "State of fear" and kept there, in part, by news stations.

Sports are what we use to escape. Sports reports need to be longer, more in depth and shows us not only the major sports, but local sports and those that support them. I dont watch much news anymore because of the news director's decision to desire money over quality.

I don't know of any stations which have gained viewers by cutting sports, but I do know of a few that have lost them because of it.

Like all hard working sports reporters who have hastily thrown on a tie and make-up at 11:14 p.m. after a Friday night spent racing from town to town shooting high school football games, I know how much the viewers appreciate us covering local sports.

I'm thrilled to see there is a news director out there who feels the same way.

As daunting as it may seem to picture my tape stacked against 300 others for one of the few jobs I will apply for this year, this blog has given me hope for the future. Here's hoping there are more out there like you, Pat.

Thanks,
Scott Hennessee

Please tell us how many of the 300 tapes you have are from real reporters or just actor wannabees who narrate the same highlights that everyone else in the country shows?

Pat - you and I see things the same way. My tape is one of those 300 in your office. If we're cut from the same cloth, hire me! My wife and I would love to come to Seattle.

Thanks!
-Sean McDowell

Pat,

Reading your blog inspired me. I am one of those sportscasters who recently lost their job. Consultants were brought in at the beginning of the year at my old station and sure enough they went after sports first.

Like you, I do not understand that. Sports segments belong in newscasts and along with weather help form the pillars that support a winning newscast.

There need to be a lot more ND's and GM's like you calling the shots. Having that kind of support from management only drives the sports department to do bigger and better things.

My tape is one of those 300 somewhere in your office. I sincerely hope for the opportunity to work for you and join the team.

I, too, applaud your comments.

As an ex-sports guy, now in news because I got sick of beating out 400 sports guys for a $40K/year job in Medium/Large-Medium Market USA, I am encouraged to see a major-market news director stick the proverbial neck out there, against the current tide.

Best wishes on the search and I look forward to seeing the industry turn around. Fewer water-skiing squirrels...more stories about local sports athletes and issues.

Good luck,

Chris Earl
News Anchor
WEAU-TV Eau Claire
Novelist, Gotcha Down

You hit the nail on the head.

Thanks for speaking up and trust me, I would love to send you a tape if I wasn't already under contract. You sound like you would be an absolute pleasure to work for.

Thanks again,

Randy Scott
Sports Director
WNEG-TV Channel 32
Northeast Georgia and the Western Carolinas

Pat, I too am among those 300 tapes but I also had the pleasure of meeting you face to face a few weeks ago in Seattle. I remember your words then and I found it relief to know there was still a ND out there, especially in that market, who still sees local sports as an asset to a newscast and station. The fact you had the guts to put those words out there for everyone to hear is good for sports reporters and anchors everywhere. It's amazing how those good people in Marion, Iowa (and other consultants) love to throw those four letters into every conversation about why sports should be dropped. I guess they never saw a piece on how the Sumner Spartan football players helped build their own stadium one summer including days when the practiced.
Chris Swanson
Formerly of WISC-TV in Madison, but still looking for a sports job

Pat,

This is belated, but I'm a viewer. Am not sure what consultants are saying about sportscasters, but it's an integral part of the news delivery I expect from a Local TV station. True, I'm 50+ and fall into a demographic beyond those that a station may try to attract. However, people in this area do value the local coverage, the familiar faces of people we see every day.

Sports-aholics have ESPN, FSN, etc., but it just doesn't bring it home like someone based here in town. Best of luck on hiring the right person.

I hope you find that Sports Reporter, good luck.

Oh please, look who he ended up hiring. Gag me.

This is a farce. Blonde, female? You're hired!

Good site! I'll stay reading! Keep improving!