It is good that HBO and Bob Costas are exploring the state of sports media. It is good that print’s role will be discussed as well. I just received my Sports Illustrated in the mail. I got it on Thursday night. In it, it has a pull out on SI’s expert picks on who will get taken in the NFL draft. Their #1 pick prediction for the Miami Dolphins was wrong. Long of Michigan was taken and signed already. Hence, I stopped looking at that piece. Then I went to a 5,000 word article on the Giants vs. the Colts in 1956 filled with sepia-tinged photos, an article I can swear I have read in the magazine three times before. What are the editors thinking at SI? Is this how they plan to stay relevant to a younger, always on, always connected audience?
Ted's Take
I was wondering if you think Bryce Harper will go to the Washington Nationals as this year’s first pick? Hank from Bryce Harper Baseball Player
Well, I don’t read SI for breaking sports news; who would? I read it for in-depth articles and often-fantastic writing like the Colts-Giants feature (albeit a book excerpt) that focused on the great Raymond Berry. A fantastic read that you probably skipped because of your impatience to absorb more electrons.
Do they still print SI? I think they lost relevance long before the newspapers. Who needs week old news? Or worse, out of touch fluff pieces? Or a mag devoted to three sports (basketball, football, and baseball) when there’s a multitude of sports out there (hockey, soccer, sailing, etc) that offer just as many compelling stories that sports fans may be interested in.
Except that Jake Long was just taken by the Dolphins
Except that the Dolphins actually took Jake Long 1st, thus making SI’s prediction spot on. Good call Ted…
Thats hilarious about Sports Illustrated. I used to get it with a Scout.com subscription but its always outdated.
ESPN didnt have a draft magazine for the first time this year, because they decided there was no demand for print..and it was better business to do it all online. Unbelievable to me that so few companies have been following this model.