Grantland might be done by 2016

[Brozay]

if a film studio felt it had a rough go of it over the next few years as far as what it was budgeting for, what gets cut? the arthouse spin off division they fund, or transformers 6?

again, dont think anyone is questioning 'why' this decision was made

 

[Rev]

I think it's about numbers.

ESPN is in some dire straights when trying to be everything to everyone. John Walsh would still be in this fight even if still at ESPN because cost cutting was on the horizon.

Working in advertising now, I'm seeing all of the changes from companies who mostly relied on offline media having to live in an online media world. Grantland was done regardless.

Yea man. And ESPN's business model looks to be changing a lot. They just had one of, if not the one most impactful layoffs in their history, and are cutting ties with many of the big money people in front of the camera, and obviously behind-the-scenes.

Grantland was an affinity site that was cute at first, but not affecting their bottom line in the end. "The Undefeated" (the Whitlock joint) is never getting off the ground, and don't be shocked if they cut ties with FiveThirtyEight.com after the election next year.

ESPN is in a huge hole staying above water with these College Football Playoff, NFL and NBA deals. They had to keep those to remain on top and relevant.

The Netflix's, Apple TV's and Google's got these companies sick and scared, and they gotta cut ties where possible to prepare. It's like their version of "winter is coming".

 

[Brady-Carter]

I think it's about numbers.

ESPN is in some dire straights when trying to be everything to everyone. John Walsh would still be in this fight even if still at ESPN because cost cutting was on the horizon.

Working in advertising now, I'm seeing all of the changes from companies who mostly relied on offline media having to live in an online media world. Grantland was done regardless.

If your in advertising, then you would know that does not matter when it comes to Grantland. Most ESPN ad buys are umbrella buys. Second ESPN is not going to cut money b/c most grantland writers are on contract.

I get what your saying tho. Tough to cut 300 hundred jobs without out cutting non making entities. Which dropping Grantland is a easy move. Easier then cutting non monry making entities, like say OTL.

ESPN should have just let bill take Grantland with him. And let's be real, non of this really matters to ESPN in the long run.

 

[The ADD]

Of course I agree with it. I just refuse to agree with the idea that ESPN had Grantland


I'll be real with you....I had TPFSports which had long form, high quality content. At the end of the day, you can post the best shyt on the internet but most folks aren't that interested in reading long form anymore. I have a difficult time blaming ESPN for societies appetite for headlines over substance.

The biggest external champion with a brand for the site left with Simmons. For right or wrong they lost the element they had they might push people to read beyond the headlines.

 

[NYC Rebel]

How can you blame the entire thing on "society's appetites" when ESPN brass clearly has made some disastrous decisions and business deals that have directly resulted in this sudden "need" to cut costs drastically to make up for all the money lost? And youre clearly aware of this as you just posted an article explaining it.

Changes in media forced ESPN's hand. Honestly....no one saw this coming. NBC, ABC, CBS...they've all made that mistake. My main point is, what initially may have been a niche market to bring credibility to ESPN met a change in market appetite. So even if Grantland initially was John Walsh's baby to bring credibility to network, it would have inevitably met the chopping block because of the changing media landscape and society's changing appetite in how they ingest news.

 

[NYC Rebel]

If your in advertising, then you would know that does not matter when it comes to Grantland. Most ESPN ad buys are umbrella buys. Second ESPN is not going to cut money b/c most grantland writers are on contract.

I get what your saying tho. Tough to cut 300 hundred jobs without out cutting non making entities. Which dropping Grantland is a easy move. Easier then cutting non monry making entities, like say OTL.

It's a fukkked up yet perfect storm bro.

 

[Reid2Achieve]

Especially when you've screwed up like this:

ESPN made 2 critical mistakes, and now it's paying the price

Geez...they wanted to monopolize the major sports. Now they are paying the price for it. They already made the commitments to broadcast those sports. I understand trimming the fat, but they need to figure out a way to capitalize on the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Particularly the NBA, since they get the most games and have the Finals.

 

[NYC Rebel]

The biggest external champion with a brand for the site left with Simmons. For right or wrong they lost the element they had they might push people to read beyond the headlines.

I don't think any one person can produce that type of cultural change in how people ingest their news now. Fewer Americans invest additional time into following the news more in-depth. Overall, 31 percent of Americans report that they watched, read, or heard any in-depth news stories, beyond the headlines, in the last week. Slightly more people, 38 percent, report that they invested additional time to delve deeper and follow up on the last breaking news story they followed.

 

[Absolut]

538 & OTL arent far behind. this is just the beginning of the trimming. costs havent even started skyrocketing yet, and only going to lose more and more subscribers. espn gonna look a lot different in like 5 years

 

[Brady-Carter]

It's a fukkked up yet perfect storm bro.

Agreed. And like I said above(quick edit) It will not hurt ESPN and not matter to most of us a week from now. ESPN will keep it moving and will be fine.

 

[NYC Rebel]

538 & OTL arent far behind. this is just the beginning of the trimming. costs havent even started skyrocketing yet, and only going to lose more and more subscribers. espn gonna look a lot different in like 5 years

Murdoch must be salivating.

 

[The ADD]

I don't think any one person can produce that type of cultural change in how people ingest their news now. Fewer Americans invest additional time into following the news more in-depth. Overall, 31 percent of Americans report that they watched, read, or heard any in-depth news stories, beyond the headlines, in the last week. Slightly more people, 38 percent, report that they invested additional time to delve deeper and follow up on the last breaking news story they followed.

I don't disagree. My point was the one thing they had in that realm is gone and trying to set fire to the place. Easy decision for ESPN along with the other factors

 

[Roaden Polynice]

Let's be honest. Grantland produced a lot of trash though.

I see people lionizing Brian Phillips and shyt

There were exactly like 3 writers worth their salt on Grantland, Concepcion, Hyden and Morris.

Rest was trash

But then again I'm not impressed by anything so, take my opinion with a grain of salt

 

[Brady-Carter]

Murdoch must be salivating.

Jamie Horowitz is picking and choosing right now.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Simmons doesn't deserve any of the blame because this all started when ESPN told Simmons what he could or couldn't say. You can't challenge Roger Goodell they said. what kind of shyt is that?

Also, people saying that Grantland didn't get enough traffic. Well, ESPN didn't promote them either. ESPN didn't support it.

No, ESPN told Simmon he shouldn't be calling Goodell a "Liar" straight up. That's libel. There were plenty of ESPN employees trashing Goodell daily starting with FT, His/Hers and pretty much every woman at the network but Simmons stepped over the line.