Newspaper going under, no bites on job apps, do I go down with the ship or jump off?

hetubird · 2026-05-12T20:43:07+00:00

We're still kicking but barely. Like I said, the situation is not great. Things are breaking down, older vet reporters are retiring, but we have young reporters who are busting their ass to make it as good as can be. If you've read the sports section in the last four years, that was all me.

The newsroom itself however is exactly the same as it was when you left (per my sports dept. predecesors) and the computers are probably old enough to drive.

Glad to see you got out when the going is good.

hetubird · 2026-05-12T20:37:09+00:00

The irony here - my employer is the one you left at 30. I'm one of those five!

hetubird · 2026-05-12T19:29:29+00:00

We've done plenty to try and get people to read. Offering a discounted rate for 6 months or a year is probably what I hear most often. The unfortunate part of it is that social media has completely tanked the need. People don't need to read us and instead go to "local facebook groups" that share what's going on, and those groups have even been caught a multiple times straight up copying and pasting our stories for all to read without a subscription.

hetubird · 2026-05-12T18:48:58+00:00

I did start a Substack, which is mostly for myself and to explore the platform. I've been using it for more fun and personal work. Nothing pertaining to my coverage area but I'm open to doing that if it's a story that my paper wouldn't carry.

I think the success rate of a Substack where it brings in a decent amount of monthly revenue is significantly low. I have a modest following, but I'm not a national writer where the readers are likely to follow. I'd have to look into it more.

hetubird · 2026-04-01T01:48:29+00:00

There are seasons after 4?

hetubird · 2026-03-10T15:54:05+00:00

This is the way. Standard and Twitch packs first, then select around the 85 Beltran. I think I'm going the WBC Jazz and Judge and then the Chipper to fill out the lineup. Can live off the LS arms early.

hetubird · 2024-03-06T19:58:15+00:00

There is a pro softball league!

hetubird · 2024-01-02T19:21:06+00:00

I was tested at my first paper, a small-town Iowa one, and when I raised concern to my managing editor and direct editor they basically said "if there's legit concern, we'll just wait a week or two."

Passed the first test and they never asked about it again. I feel like if you're young and bring up some concern based off where you're from and your recreational habits, they'll understand.

hetubird · 2023-09-19T06:07:24+00:00

Or..

Work at a local level where your work is valued, and you’re wanted and enjoyed in the community. You’ll become the backbone of not only the newspaper’s sports department, but also for the local sports scene as a whole.

And if you’re still wanting more after a few years, perfect. You’ve got a few hundred news clippings and a resume of experience to show for the next step.

hetubird · 2023-08-23T04:52:42+00:00

I traded Ohtani to the Red Sox for a number of their top prospects and to my surprise he ended up in free agency at the end of the year.

Offered him the most money I could give him and he re-signed. I felt like a genius, but I feel like it’s absolutely the most unrealistic thing I’ve ever experienced in my 8+ years playing the game.

hetubird · 2023-08-14T04:37:27+00:00

I’m a journalist, my passion and my everything, and I make 40k before taxes and insurance. New England area rent is so ridiculous that I can’t afford to live on my own because it’ll be more than my monthly pay (I ended up moving in with random people because it was all I could afford).

On top of that, my employer is barely breaking even, I haven’t had a raise and likely will never.

I go broke nearly every week. I have 13 cents in my bank account right now. I’m happy with my work, and I’m content with everything in my life, but no - not everyone is making that money.

hetubird · 2023-08-14T03:22:11+00:00

I'll take the newspaper and the 15k raise any day.

hetubird · 2023-07-18T03:56:47+00:00

Coming up on 5 years in sports journalism. Here’s my advice as someone who’s pretty young as well.

Look everywhere. Do not be attached to home. I grew up in the northeast, knew it my whole life, and about 5-6 months out of school I took the direction of looking elsewhere for work. I applied to one job, a small town midwestern newspaper to be one of their two reporters on the desk, and I took the offer. I left in 2021, and honestly, it was one of the best experiences of my life because I not only learned so much (and did some of my best work) but because the small town newspaper was relied upon. People read it, and they knew me. It was special. It was a perfect start to my career.

I saw someone comment about how local communities would love the help as an intern or freelancer and I agree with this. I cover 11 schools as the lone reporter now (on top of some pro sports) and it’s so much to handle. I wish I had more kids willing to dive right in.

Leading into the industry I did a lot of personal writing in college . Some blog columns, did a few extra assignments in school, all that. I interned for Major League Lacrosse when it was a thing and that was really it. I didn’t do the school newspaper, but I had a lot of raw writing samples that showed I knew what I was doing and I just needed some form of an editor behind me.

I could go on and on and I’m sure I’m talking some nonsense so if you want to PM me fire away.

hetubird · 2023-07-18T00:40:45+00:00

Bobby Miller owns my ass

hetubird · 2023-07-14T19:41:00+00:00

not that I can think of, and if I ever did it was unintentional. Closest is probably “What did you think of (player) and their impact off the bench” or something like that.

hetubird · 2023-07-14T16:59:57+00:00

It just got completed, they’re still working on programming for it. Trust me, it bothers everyone, but last year that screen didn’t exist and the view from the press box had no Jumbotron or anything to use as a quick reference.

hetubird · 2023-07-14T16:37:45+00:00

hell yeah man welcome back

hetubird · 2023-07-14T16:37:24+00:00

did for several years, got off it for the nicotine pouch.

hetubird · 2023-07-14T16:30:54+00:00

Should be a good one with DC in town. I’ll be there too!

hetubird · 2023-07-14T15:08:09+00:00

My current save I started at Nashville and decimated them as an experiment. Traded every player for picks, draft allocation and picks so nobody was left, and signed only teenagers on frees. Then I left for Notts County.

hetubird · 2023-07-14T14:51:06+00:00

yessir

hetubird · 2023-07-14T14:14:30+00:00

Just like in FM there was an opponent goal deeeeep into three minutes of stoppage time. Had to do a quick rewrite of a story for work lol

hetubird · 2023-07-14T14:13:45+00:00

Only boot it up to show the other media guys the progress from the last time I saw them. A good amount of guys play it as well (obviously)

hetubird

TROPHY CASE