Windy Interview on leaving for ESPN

[ClevelandOwnz]

I have respect for him.. i guess. But wow ... this only boost LeBron fat ego even more that people in Cleveland need to continue too ride his dick! This just means we are not going to get those books he talked about writing with how the Cavs and LeBron James was a complete mess.

 

[DDJ7777]

Grown men following other grown men to do their jobs. I don't get it. Later Windy.

 

[Lee]

Grown men following other grown men to do their jobs. I don't get it. Later Windy.

Really? You dont get it? People change jobs all the time to new companies in the bussiness world. One exec leaves for a competitor, most of his team follows. That said, Windy really had no choice. He will now get his foot in the door with the biggest sports media outlet in the world. Today he is going to cover the Heat, but in 3 or 4 years with his talent who knows?

This situation is nothing like Lebron leaving, people are just being overly sensitive. The PD is a local newspaper, this is like leaving the anchor job on Chanel 3, to take on a national weekend anchor job. Its not a horizontal move like Lebron's going to another team, its a vertical move that comes with more money and more opportunity.

Good luck Windy. You are a class act, and I am glad you are getting your shot in the big league of reporting. I hope your talent isnt wasted on the Heat for to much longer and you become one of their lead basketball reporters for all of the league.

 

[mAo_mAo]

I guess Windy will be fatter with a fatter check down in souff bitch.

 

[DDJ7777]

Really? You dont get it? People change jobs all the time to new companies in the bussiness world. One exec leaves for a competitor, most of his team follows. That said, Windy really had no choice. He will now get his foot in the door with the biggest sports media outlet in the world. Today he is going to cover the Heat, but in 3 or 4 years with his talent who knows?

I get the money thing, sure. I just wouldn't want to be the guy that chases LeBron around. If that's what it takes for him to get more well known nationally, then that's his decision. I'm just saying that I personally wouldn't want to be that guy.

 

[PIP]

Windy gets to live in Miami and cover what should be the best team in the NBA in the near future__ that will yield easy story upon easy story---- NO BRAINER MOVE !!!

Best of luck, Windy....

 

[Lo Key]

Let's be honest here... this is not LeBron, who no matter what was getting a 120 mil contract, endorsements, recognition wherever he went (or stayed). I'm probably taking liberties here, but I wouldn't be surprised if Windy is more than doubling his salary by going, as well as moving to a national outlet, which I'm sure we all believes he deserves and happy to see him achieve (even though its ESPN).

I'm definitely not saying its about the money... but he was in the newspaper industry and I'm sure there are people on this board who made more than Windy... now imagine being able to more than double your salary by moving to a new city. I love Cleveland, but I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Best of luck to him.

 

[pr26]

Can't wait to see his first article where he hints that Lebron may not be able to handle pressure....and Yes I believe he's going to be a sharpshooter or else he wouldn't have taken the job.

The man is now national, covering what will be the most talked about team in perhaps NBA history. It's a promotion...and a well deserved one.

We can't be selfish enough to think that one of the best beat writers in the NBA should cover a lottery team when he could be doing espn.com.....

Congrats Windy. You gave us what you always felt to be the truth, whether we liked the answer or not.

 

[Wine&GoldPimp]

Windy is taking his knee pads to South Beach!!!

 

[The Hill]

Good luck, Windy. You were the best sports writer in Cleveland, and it's good to see you getting recognized for all your hard work. You will be missed.

 

[Jon]

That said, Windy really had no choice. He will now get his foot in the door with the biggest sports media outlet in the world. Today he is going to cover the Heat, but in 3 or 4 years with his talent who knows?

Of course he had a choice, and he already had a foot in the door with ESPN. He's just preventing that door from getting slammed in his face.

And what's with there being two beat reporters from ESPN covering the Heat? What happens to Windy if ESPN decides to reduce their coverage and cut one of them?

Plus he's still a beat reporter - not a columnist, not a talking head, etc. This should keep the door open for him to continue to publish NBA main page articles perhaps become a columnist/pundit, but will it earn him more face time on the network let alone an eventual TV gig? Most reporters get tired of following the beat and want to move on at some point. Will ESPN give him that opportunity?

The move keeps him in "the game", makes him relevant nationally, but let's be clear ... this was a choice where Windy could have stuck by his supporters and continued to build his career in Cleveland - just like Terry Pluto has done. There's nothing wrong with that either.

 

[Real Deal]

So who takes on the duties of being the Cavs_Insider?

 

[udilicious42584]

Well... Atleast we still have Finnan. That way when the Cavs win a championship, he'll make sure to write about it 2 weeks later.

I understand the move, but around here Windy was GOD. I get that the Cavs will never be the same again, unless we draft some miracle superstar or pull off an unbelieveable trade. I just feel that Windy will sort of blend in to the ESPN/Miami media frenzy and won't really stand out anymore. He'll be like Where's Waldo... you know he's there, but it's hard to find him with all the other 'noise'.

The Heat Index already have 3 other media members assigned to the crew. That is besides all of the ESPN TV personalities that will the Miami Heat spotlight. You know, the usual goons... Broussard, Sheridan, Bucher, Ford, Stein.

I'm sure the money is fantastic, the noteriety of being on ESPN's payroll is a dream come true and the South Beach atmosphere and climate is paradise compared to Cleveland. Windy was special in Cleveland though, his talent level compared to several other local media personalities is lightyears apart. I just don't see him being as noticeable once he joins the circus in Miami. Goodluck though!

 

[nime]

Windy is hoping they tank and don't live up to expectations......Imagine the great drama he can create with his blogs and articles if this Heat team fails.

I think Windy is looking at the bigger picture, more books coming on LBJ and now the Heat.

 

[Lee]

Of course he had a choice, and he already had a foot in the door with ESPN. He's just preventing that door from getting slammed in his face.

And what's with there being two beat reporters from ESPN covering the Heat? What happens to Windy if ESPN decides to reduce their coverage and cut one of them?

Plus he's still a beat reporter - not a columnist, not a talking head, etc. This should keep the door open for him to continue to publish NBA main page articles perhaps become a columnist/pundit, but will it earn him more face time on the network let alone an eventual TV gig? Most reporters get tired of following the beat and want to move on at some point. Will ESPN give him that opportunity?

The move keeps him in "the game", makes him relevant nationally, but let's be clear ... this was a choice where Windy could have stuck by his supporters and continued to build his career in Cleveland - just like Terry Pluto has done. There's nothing wrong with that either.

If his goal is to further his career, this really isnt a hard decision for him. Newspapers are dying. Going to ESPN full time for the same money is the right move for him even if all other things are equal. I cant be mad at Windy for making decisions in his life simular to those that I made. I dont live in Cleveland area anymore, I took opportunity and income to move to a place with a better economy and better weather.

I just cant be mad at Windy for this decision by any means. Not even close to the same level as Lebron. And for anyone saying he is nuthugging Lebron, get real, he is making a career decision for himself and his family. No reason to be mad at a guy using this opportunity to further his career.