Jay Mariotti, the Sun-Times columnist who for years has been Chicago's best-known sports writer, has resigned from the paper after 17 years. He indicated that he plans to take his writing to the Internet.Mariotti told the Chicago Tribune that he will remain on ESPN's Around the Horn, but that the future of sports writing "sadly is not in newspapers." He said he is "talking with a lot of Web sites."
The timing of Mariotti's resignation is surprising. Less than three months ago, he signed a three-year contract extension. It's also surprising, if Mariotti wants to focus more of his writing on the web, that he and the Sun-Times couldn't work out a deal to give him an enhanced online presence as the Sun-Times has with Roger Ebert.
Mariotti's final Sun-Times column underscores his relationship with the Chicago sports world; he opens by saying he doesn't like Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and that Angelo doesn't like him. But enough readers do like Mariotti -- even if what they really like is to disagree with him -- that whatever web site hires him can expect a bump in traffic.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2008 @ 9:17AM
Matt Snyder said...
Especially surprising considering the Cubs and White Sox are probably both in the playoffs. As much as he loves to picks fights with fans by telling them their teams aren't going to win, he'd have a month full of columns written for him.
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10-05-2008 @ 11:16AM
Bruce Harms said...
I saw Mr. Mariotti on ESPN this morning and he stated that even if the Cubs had good players from other teams, the team would still lose. I said the same thing to my wife this morning. He also said how after this latest flop in the playoffs how do people stay Cub fans. I for one have resigned today as a Cub fan. I won't dislike them. I will just have an apathetic stance on this team. I have hit bottom with this team like I hit bottom with alcohol and drugs 22 years ago. I just can't take putting up with the Cubs' big chokes anymore. I will no longer play tennis with my Cubs' hat fearing that brings a losing energy to my game. I grew up in Wilmette, Illinois and my father worked in advertising for both the Sun Times and Chicago Tribune. I can't take the pain of watching this team choke. They lost so badly at home. That is what is so heart breaking. I am done with this abusive relationship.
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10-05-2008 @ 11:36AM
Bruce Harms said...
I enjoy watching the Tampa Bay Rays because on the big stage they do not choke like the "Choker " Cubs. I am glad that I live in New Port Richey, Florida. After 2003, I made a vow not to watch a whole game of the "Choker" Cubs in the playoffs. I only watched the last two innings of game 1. I can no longer have my heart broken by this team of "Chokers" anymore.
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