RADIO: The ESPN Layoffs and the Future of Sports Journalism (with guests David Lombardi & Jashvina Shah)

ESPN reporter David Lombardi documented his guest spot on the show with this lovely selfie.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, I'm joined in studio by ESPN reporter David Lombardi. David and I discuss the recent layoffs at ESPN and Fox Sports, the current state of sports journalism, and the future of the industry, along with our thoughts on how sports, politics and social issues blend together in modern media.

We also welcomed in freelance reporter Jashvina Shah, a woman with experience in multiple sports journalism business models, having written for established sites, startups, and her own subscription-based site for Princeton hockey. Shah is also the host and founder of the new "Stick to Sports" podcast, where she breaks down social issues affecting sports, and society at large. As an Indian woman, Shah shared with us some of the unique challenges she faces in a male-dominated industry, and why she sticks with it, despite those challenges.

For all that, and much more, listen in below!

Bob Lobel: Curt Schilling Continues to Self-Destruct

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

Open mouth, insert bloody sock. 

Mr. Self-destruct is on the road again. Actually, he has been told to hit the road by ESPN. It's like having the bullpen take over in your first inning. Throwing too many strikes when you should just follow the signs and do what the catcher says. 

Not our Curt.

Thank you for your work and contributions to 2004, and thank goodness you weren’t paid by the word. Sometimes it just pays to remember you can never learn anything while you're talking. Also, it would help to know that your audience paid for you to pitch, not bitch. 

Tweaking ESPN's Top College Football Coaching Jobs

Texas coach Charlie Strong has the most desirable job in college football, according to the folks over at ESPN.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

ESPN finished unveiling its rankings of the top "Power-5" college football coaching jobs last week, and I've always found the subject fun and ripe for debate.

Obviously, there are always going to be subjective parts of any "job" ranking. The Ohio State and Notre Dame gigs are dream jobs to any coach that grew up in America's heartland, but a SoCal guy would probably take USC over either of them.

A deep south country coach would likely take any of the Top-5 jobs in the SEC over any other school in the country, and a coach from the Lone Star State would likely view the Longhorns coaching job as the best in the land.

The point is, there are a bunch of great job, and the best one is in the eye of the beholder. Still, let's grant ESPN this crazy and awesomely fun hypothetical: Which jobs would be the most appealing if every "Power-5" job in the country suddenly opened up tomorrow?

Bob Lobel: Fixing the Baseball Hall of Fame and Honoring Stuart Scott

By Bob Lobel (@boblobel)

There is a section of the instructions to the Baseball Writers of America that was added a few years after the writers established the Hall and the honor it carries. 

It’s the rule five clause that specifically deals with character issues. That’s why there is no Pete Rose, nor will there be a Clemens, Bonds, Palmeiro, or A-Rod.  

I think they should make the process better by adding a sixth rule. Simply, it should say, “ignore rule five.” 

Then the best players of all time will get into the place designed to honor the best players of all time.  

Remembering Stuart Scott

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Stuart Scott, one of the true legends and innovators of sports media, died this morning after a seven-year battle with cancer.

As a life-long sports fan who came up watching the early to mid 90s editions of SportsCenter, I can tell you that Stuart Scott was sports.

Every time Jordan threw down a dunk, every time Tiger sank a putt, every time Favre threw a pass into triple-coverage that was somehow caught, Scott was there with the perfect catch phrase.

"That must be jam, cause jelly don't shake like that… As cool as the other side of the pillow… Can I get a witness from the congregation?!"

The NFL Wants the Ray Rice Scandal to be Over… And So Should You

By Joe Blake

As you may have heard, on September 8th Ray Rice, running back for the Baltimore Ravens, punched and knocked his fiancée unconscious in an Atlantic City Casino elevator.

Oh no wait - that happened back in February. Why are we just deciding to care about this now?

Because there’s video. Juicy, violent, indictable video (not just of the aftermath, but of the actual altercation!), which can be shown repeatedly on ESPN because it’s hardly less graphic than your average hit from Ndamukong Suh, right?

Step right up, hurry, hurry - seeing is believing folks, and you won’t be able to look away from this maniacal monstrosity of a man maliciously mauling his mirthful mate! (Okay, I got a bit carried away there)

ESPN and Bill Simmons are Working Everyone and Taking All the Monies

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

By now you've probably heard that ESPN mega-personality, Grantland editor, jumbo-column writer and podcaster Bill Simmons has been suspended by the worldwide leader for three weeks.

The suspension comes after Simmons dropped a few expletives and called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a liar on his most recent podcast, saying the commissioner had, in fact, seen the brutal footage of Ray Rice knocking his then-fiancee unconscious or, at the very least, someone in the NFL had.

The good fellas over at SB Nation have a pretty solid breakdown of the affair, and audio of what Simmons said, so go check that out here.

But, while many are praising Simmons for taking a stand against the NFL (an obviously large partner of ESPN's) and criticizing the network for suspending one of its most popular personalities simply for speaking his opinion, people are losing sight of how much of a win-win this suspension is for both ESPN and The Sports Guy.

Allow me to explain.

ESPN & the NFL Continue to Insult Women... But We Keep Watching

By Heidi Leach (@heidileach)

This Ray Rice ordeal has caused quite a stir. 

A two-game suspension for punching your fiancee? Hmmm. 

Everyone has an opinion. Either it’s an appropriate punishment, or it’s not even close. People are entitled to their thoughts so I’ll go ahead and throw in my two cents as well.

You see, I happen to be a woman and, personally, I do not think that two games is enough of a punishment. Players doing copious amounts of drugs or shooting themselves in the leg have seen much, much worse, and they only hurt themselves. But punching a woman hard enough to knock her out, then dragging her limp body out of an elevator does not warrant the same? 

CMass Video Preview: Auburn Football 2013

The Rockets will rebuild around ESPN Boston Pre-season all state lineman Will Greelish.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

The first season in which the MIAA will crown football state champions may have come a year too late for Auburn.

Last season, the Rockets were one of the most dominant teams in the history of Central Mass, defeating opponents by over 20 points per game, rolling to yet another undefeated campaign and capturing a fifth straight Super Bowl win.

That team would have been a state title favorite.

Johnny Football Problems

I guess growing up is hard no matter who you are...

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

If you haven't already read Wright Thompson's piece on Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel for ESPN the Magazine, trust me when I say it is the most insightful thing you will read about Johnny Football this week.

In the piece we learn about Johnny, a 20-year old whose world has been turned upside-down by the instant fame of becoming the first freshman to ever win the Heisman. We read about the mobs of people trying to get a piece of Johnny Football, the bikini model girlfriend he broke up with after she ranked too high on a blog's "hot girlfriend/wife" list, his use of alcohol to detach himself from it all, and the family that is concerned for his well-being.

Basically, he's a 20-year old dude living the dream.

Breaking Down ESPN's Greatest NFL Coaches

One of the great innovators in NFL history, Chuck Noll won a record four Lombardi trophies.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

In a year that would have seen Vince Lombardi turn 100, ESPN decided to unveil its list of the 20 greatest coaches in NFL history. Aside from being a great conversation piece, it is simply a testament to the immense popularity of the NFL.

In the midst of an epic NBA Finals, an "original six" Stanley Cup, majors season in tennis and golf and baseball season, the fact that a list of long since retired football coaches is getting this kind of attention should tell you what America's sport truly is.

The Top-5: Strategic Pioneers Underrated

Studs and Duds: Dump the Schwab?

Sports trivia guru Howie Schwab was the most high-profile victim of ESPN's recent layoffs.

By Jeremy Conlin and Joe Parello

Studs and Duds is a weekly feature on Suite Sports. Who had a good week? Who had a bad week?

Studs

Jozy Altidore

Altidore is America's highest-scoring player in European football (Just ahead of Team USA teammate Clint Dempsey), but scoring for the national team hasn't come easily of late. 19-months without a goal had American soccer fans riled up that the national side's most talented player may not be bringing it on the world's biggest stage.