Windy Interview on leaving for ESPN

[KilgoreTrout]

I don't understand why Windhorst would rip into LeBron's people (and to some degree LeBron) on his way to down to cover the Miami Heat. It seems, um, a bit counterproductive, but perhaps the damage is done already with getting just 1 interview in 7 years. It would be rather ironic to have Windhorst "covering" the Heat but churning out anti-LeBron articles ala Bill Simmons.

I wish he were staying in Cleveland--I will miss the ridiculous amount of copy (and blogs) he wrote last year.

Why would ESPN allow this? They would be hurting their own product: LeBron James.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

My question for all the people who are critical is, if you had the opportunity to move up and get a better job would you decline accept?

Would you accept a million dollars to suck a guy's dick? Well, obviously there are limits.

Windy is accepting more money to go work for a joke of a network, that is known to spike articles critical of its "product". So he is bound to compromise his journalistic integrity. It sounds like there were many possible "better jobs", and he took this one.

So, to answer your question: no, I would have never taken this "better job", because it's become apparent that ESPN is not a news outlet, but rather a hype machine, and because I woud have doubted that I could write what I wanted to write.

 

[Marcus]

Would you accept a million dollars to suck a guy's dick? Well, obviously there are limits.

Windy is accepting more money to go work for a joke of a network, that is known to spike articles critical of its "product". So he is bound to compromise his journalistic integrity. It sounds like there were many possible "better jobs", and he took this one.

So, to answer your question: no, I would have never taken this "better job", because it's become apparent that ESPN is not a news outlet, but rather a hype machine, and because I woud have doubted that I could write what I wanted to write.

What better possible job is there than to write for the most recognizable sports platform in the world, as well as one of the most recognizable brands in all of entertainment, as well? The people that are bashing Windy need to step back and actually look at it realistically. If you honestly would not have taken more money in a shitty economy, as well as advanced yourself in a career field where success is certainly no guarantee, as well as moved yourself to a warmer climate with one of the biggest stories in all of sports, then you are probably the stupidest person I have ever had the pleasure of talking to. I and about 99.9% of this board would have done the exact same thing that Brian did. Take your loyalty and stay with a lower paying job covering a team that's not going to do anything. I'll go ahead and do what's best for myself, my family, and my career. And what makes it even better? The fact that I'm fulfilling a dream of mine.


Do you people even believe what's coming out of your mouths right now? Cleveland fans may be a loyal breed, but they are also very, very bitter. Some of the responses in this thread are downright hysterical.

 

[WhoWeAre]

Wow. This thread is a nice period stamp for why I no longer have a reason to be part of this board.

 

[NarlCavs]

Don't know if it's a better or good job but going to ESPN is a job for more money and more exposure. It's not for any type of serious journalism. Just because something gets more attention or receives higher ratings doesn't mean it represents quality. Look at some of the complete crap that's successful on TV, in movies , and in music.
This move really doesn't make Windhorst look great to many. We've already seen the blurbs that have another person bailing out of Cleveland to go to Miami. Also appears to some that he's just following Lebron which doesn't present a great picture to everybody.

Always been a big fan on Windhorst and have always defended him against criticism. Have to admit I've lost a little respect for him though. Appears that Lebron wasn't the only one plotting his escape from Ohio in the last 3 years. Guy has every right to make this move and I do understand why he did it. Just seems a little odd to take a job at something like ESPN and one where his primary job will be focusing on the Heat and Lebron when reports say he had other opportunities besides this one to move on, get paid more, and receive more exposure.

 

[ssopata]

Just seems a little odd to take a job at something like ESPN and one where his primary job will be focusing on the Heat and Lebron when reports say he had other opportunities besides this one to move on, get paid more, and receive more exposure.

IMO he'll get more exposure at ESPN. Not only will he most likely be the featured LBJ reporter but his articles will be linked all over their NBA section. Not to mention he'll most likely be a regualr guest on SC and their NBA pre game show. Windy will also make the rounds throughout ESPN radio and it's affiliates. He'll get TONS of exposure on ESPN, moreso than if he went to the NY Times

 

[reverendvargo]

Would you accept a million dollars to suck a guy's dick? Well, obviously there are limits.

Windy is accepting more money to go work for a joke of a network, that is known to spike articles critical of its "product". So he is bound to compromise his journalistic integrity. It sounds like there were many possible "better jobs", and he took this one.

So, to answer your question: no, I would have never taken this "better job", because it's become apparent that ESPN is not a news outlet, but rather a hype machine, and because I woud have doubted that I could write what I wanted to write.

for everyone mad at ESPN and how they do things that's fine, i'm not their biggest advocate either, but never forget that the big letter E in ESPN stands for entertainment, and always will. ESPN, and every other network out there is all about ratings, that's how they get sponsors and $. Windy is a great beat writer and all i can hope is that he holds their feet to fire down there in south beach. in a society where newspapers are shutting down all across the country, Windy is going to the most stable place to work in his field, good for him.

also as rizzo said this morning, atleast windy didn't get on the radio and have a three hour special with Brinda lobbing softballs at him and asking about his favorite color.

 

[Jon]

I'm afraid Windy got played. Of course he wants to take the next step in his career, cover the league, write national columns, etc; but it just sounds like they told him just enough to get him to take the job - and only 1/2 a job at that.

 

[daytripper]

I'm really going to miss Brian. I only wish him the best in South Beach. He's truly a class act.

It's always nice to see a Finnan or Windy contribute to this site.

With that said I wish I could be a bigger person and just wish Windy the best of luck in Miami but personally I wish no good will to ESPN. To be honest the entire lebron fiasco from the playoffs thru the 'decision' still feels like an open wound and wish Brian wasn't leaving now. The dude is just a journalist and had nothing to do with lebron's decision but him leaving now to of all places Miami just feels like another gut shot. Yeah it's ridiculous but as someone who has devoted so much time to following this team over the years that's just how I'm feeling. It's really time to look at sports as pure business and stop getting so emotionally attached to these teams.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

What better possible job is there than to write for the most recognizable sports platform in the world, as well as one of the most recognizable brands in all of entertainment, as well? The people that are bashing Windy need to step back and actually look at it realistically. If you honestly would not have taken more money in a shitty economy, as well as advanced yourself in a career field where success is certainly no guarantee, as well as moved yourself to a warmer climate with one of the biggest stories in all of sports, then you are probably the stupidest person I have ever had the pleasure of talking to. I and about 99.9% of this board would have done the exact same thing that Brian did. Take your loyalty and stay with a lower paying job covering a team that's not going to do anything. I'll go ahead and do what's best for myself, my family, and my career. And what makes it even better? The fact that I'm fulfilling a dream of mine.


Do you people even believe what's coming out of your mouths right now? Cleveland fans may be a loyal breed, but they are also very, very bitter. Some of the responses in this thread are downright hysterical.

Well, in truth, things are coming out of our fingers, because we are typing them.

In any case, I stand by what I wrote. ESPN may be the most recognizable sports platform in the world, but it's has revealed itself as an unserious news source. So, no. If I was a journalist, I wouldn't take that job, because I would have to stop calling myself a journalist.

People keep making this argument, "If you were in that situation, you would do the same thing." That's a poor assumption. If I was about money and recognition, I might, but I try not to be about those things.

When I was 13, I dreamed of being a sportswriter. Dreams change.

 

[Chris]

It's always nice to see a Finnan or Windy contribute to this site.

With that said I wish I could be a bigger person and just wish Windy the best of luck in Miami but personally I wish no good will to ESPN. To be honest the entire lebron fiasco from the playoffs thru the 'decision' still feels like an open wound and wish Brian wasn't leaving now. The dude is just a journalist and had nothing to do with lebron's decision but him leaving now to of all places Miami just feels like another gut shot. Yeah it's ridiculous but as someone who has devoted so much time to following this team over the years that's just how I'm feeling. It's really time to look at sports as pure business and stop getting so emotionally attached to these teams.

Yeah, pretty much how I feel. I will always love Windy though. I also agree about the emotions thing. Time to detach our emotions from our (pro) sports teams. I know I will be trying my hardest to.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

Alot of u guys are kinda spineless. does anyone want to stand up for journalistic integrity and loyalty? No lets just stand up for the prositute selling himself for a bigger paycheck. I guess windy doesn't want to be a real writer anymore.

 

[CBBI]

I'm afraid Windy got played. Of course he wants to take the next step in his career, cover the league, write national columns, etc; but it just sounds like they told him just enough to get him to take the job - and only 1/2 a job at that.

The thing is, I can only imagine this "Heat Index" concept is only going to last this season. Once the novelty wears off after this season, Windy can settle into being a National NBA Writer who happens to be based out of Miami and writes articles about the Heat when they play significant games throughout the season.

In his own words, Windhorst is aiming to be the new Marc Stein/JA Adande. Within 15 months, you'll see him contributing to NBA Fastbreak, NBA Coast to Coast and breaking league wide news on trades and things of that nature.

 

[dirtywax]

I can't believe all the bitterness toward a beat writer leaving for a better job. Completely asinine.

 

[GoGetta]

brb burning a windy jersey