Sports On Earth Is Basically Dead
In 2012, MLB Advanced Media and USA Today teamed up to create the website Sports On Earth. It’s goal was to provide a new place for long-form in-depth sports writing. While it never got the recognition of ESPN-backed Grantland, Sports On Earth became a critically-acclaimed source for smart and informative writing.
But business always wins over art.
In Wednesday, USA Today’s parent company, Gannett, suddenly announced they were splitting their digital and newspaper businesses. As a result, USA Today pulled out of Sports On Earth completely, which left many fearing the website would soon shut down. Writer Will Leitch went to Twitter to dispel those rumors.
All right, since someone needs to say it: @SportsonEarth is not shutting down. There are some changes going on. But it is not shutting down.
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) August 5, 2014
But staffer Emma Span revealed the truth:
Yes, Sports on Earth will *technically* continue to exist. But they've laid off 95% of the writers and editors who made it what it was. So.
— Emma Span (@emmaspan) August 5, 2014
Leitch was one of the lucky 5%. Meanwhile, the other 95% who woke up thinking they were employed by Sports On Earth were suddenly jobless. MLB AM will still carry the site, and although they are considered very internet savvy, the long stream of tweeted pink slips suggests the site will unfortunately be a shell of its former self.
Read more at Awful Announcing.
Hi. My Twitter handle for now is now @MattBrownCFB.
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) August 5, 2014
I’m not necessarily out of a job, but it appears I’m out of one for the next few weeks or so. And I’d like to write stuff/eat food.
— Colin McGowan (@cs_mcgowan) August 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/highkin/statuses/496705766515281920
Hey, Becky Hammon got hired as an assistant coach! Aw, Sports on Earth looks up in the air-ish. Life is such a roller coaster, you guys.
— Seerat Sohi (@seeratsohi) August 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/jonbernhardt/statuses/496718384994586626
https://twitter.com/scATX/statuses/496720593236942849
Oh well, employment is overrated anyway. Smell you later, Sports on Earth. It's been fun.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) August 5, 2014
My last (?) piece for @SportsonEarth: Jake Peavy & his quest to win a WS with his good friend Bruce Bochy: http://t.co/0K5b6GCU6s
— Wendy Thurm (@wendythurm) August 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/A_W_Gordon/statuses/496725703946424320
Enjoy this face while it lasts, internet, because afterwards I think it's bag-only time again. http://t.co/jdYh0hh8D9
— Matthew Kory (@mattymatty2000) August 5, 2014
Someone clue me in about Sports on Earth because I don't know what happened, but it sounds like I lost another job?
— #occupymarwen (@Mobute) August 5, 2014
So @SportsonEarth was great to me. Big thanks. May/may not be contributing there in future. Definitely open to other opportunities.
— Patrick Hruby (@patrick_hruby) August 5, 2014
All I know about myself is that I'm working on two stories tonight. After that, clarity, I hope. Writing with sadness today.
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) August 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/TheTomasRios/statuses/496733418596880384
Good luck to everyone at @SportsonEarth. Hope they land at good places. Was truly an enjoyable experience contributing to the site.
— Jorge Arangure (@jorgearangure) August 5, 2014
Well, I have a book coming out in 15 days. This is the extent of my knowledge about the future.
— Michael Weinreb (@MichaelWeinreb) August 5, 2014
I had a fantastic experience writing for @SportsonEarth and would like to thank @Larry_Burke and @emmaspan for their help over the past year
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) August 5, 2014
If this is the last thing I write for @SportsonEarth, proud to have gone out with a bang: http://t.co/eiJtlkZERX
— Joe DeLessio (@joedelessio) August 5, 2014
I'm also done at @SportsonEarth. Appreciate them getting in touch and laying out what's happening, was a pleasure to work there.
— dB | Jackie Peanuts @ ❄FROSTBITE 2019❄ (@jackie_peanuts) August 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/SusanElizabeth/statuses/496786136585363457
The @SportsonEarth writers & editors were some of the most talented I've ever worked with. I enjoyed every day except the last. Thanks, all.
— Larry Burke (@Larry_Burke) August 5, 2014
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