I honestly thought that ESPN was out of the blogging business, but apparently they were just getting started. ESPN.com has finished its roster of ex-newspaper reporters and has officially what it’s calling the “ESPN Football Blog Network”. There are eight NFL bloggers, one for each conference, and seven (soon to be eight) College writers for specific conferences. Here are the details….
With the launch of the Football Blog Network, ESPN has hired 14 leading reporters and columnists from news organizations across the country to author the individual blogs (one position, blogging about the Big East, remains to be filled). Collectively, the group boasts more than 125 years of writing and reporting experience, though each brings a distinct style and voice to their blog and specific region of focus. Each blogger will provide fans both with a filter for significant developments regarding their favorite teams and expert journalistic insight and access.
Professional Football
NFC East – Matt Mosley – formerly of Dallas Morning News (previously authored Hashmarks blog on ESPN.com);
NFC West – Mike Sando – formerly of Tacoma News Tribune;
NFC North – Kevin Seifert – formerly of Minneapolis Star-Tribune;
NFC South – Pat Yasinkas – formerly of Charlotte Observer;
AFC West – Bill Williamson – formerly of Denver Post;
AFC North – James Walker – formerly of Columbus Dispatch;
AFC South – Paul Kuharsky – formerly of The Tennessean;
AFC East – Tim Graham – formerly of Palm Beach Post.College Football
ACC – Heather Dinich – formerly of Baltimore Sun;
PAC 10 – Ted Miller – formerly of Seattle Post-Intelligencer;
Big 12 – Tim Griffin – formerly of San Antonio Express-News;
Big Ten – Adam Rittenberg – formerly of Chicago Daily Herald;
SEC – Chris Low – formerly of The Tennessean and Rivals.com;
Big East – TBD;
Independents/additional conferences – Graham Watson – formerly of St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
This is definitely an interesting move considering the network’s long stand against the blogging format, but seemingly a good idea. Every reporter has covered their specific conference before, and as long as they don’t try to turn them into TV stars, this might actually work. More information is always a good thing.
On a side note, I would have rather them tried (and I think they would have had more success) trying this in the almost barren College Basketball scene, but you can’t fault them for the attempt.
(Via ESPN PR)
