1. Game days and deadlines How blogging has affected sports reporters’ roles and routines Brian Moritz Syracuse University

2. Abstract This study examines how blogging has affected the traditional roles and routines of sports newspaper beat reporters through in-depth interviews. Blogs were found to be an important part of sports reporters’ jobs, though there remains a hierarchy of print. Blogs also fostered a greater connection with readers.

3. Overview The purpose of this study is to understand the effect blogging has had on the roles and routines of sports reporters. RQ 1: How do sports journalists feel blogging has affected their roles as journalists? RQ 2: How do sports journalists feel blogging has affected their work routines?

4. Methods This study was accomplished by a series of in-depth interviews with working sports journalists (N=8). Purposive sampling was used to find beat reporters who keep a blog for their jobs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, lasting between 41 and 61 minutes. The researcher analyzed the data by using reflexive memos and some line-by-line coding.

5. Results - overview Conceptualization and utilization  Disseminator and interpreter (Weaver & Wilhoit, 1992). Relationship between blog and print  Deadline structure still dominant (Tuchman, 1972). Connection with readers  Fluid, two-way communication (Weintraub, 2007; Deuze, 2004).

6. Conceptualization & Utilization Six categories of blog posts emerged from the interviews Breaking news  “We’ve completely reconditioned our minds and our processes to: We can get a story done on it in the next five minutes.” Pre-game information In-game updates Post-game information Analysis/opinion Fun stuff

7. Relationship between print & blogs There exists a hierarchical relationship between print and online, with print at the top.  A reporter’s work remains structured around daily print deadlines, routines and traditions.  “Once the story’s done, then I’ll move on to the blog.” Doing both print work and blogging has led to time-management problems for beat reporters.  “Basically, you’re working for an internet company and a newspaper company.”

8. Connection with readers Blogging has created personal relationships between reporters and readers. This has been the biggest change brought by blogging, and it’s overwhelmingly viewed as a positive development. The new relationship is less of a one-way street and is defined by interaction.  “I think that, for too long, too much of journalism has been like, you know, peering down the mountain.”

9. Conclusions Blogging is seen an integral part of sports reporters’ jobs. There exists a tug-of-war between print and online in terms of demands and expectations.  That will remain the case as long as the current business model remains in place. It has revolutionized reporters’ relationships with readers.

10. Game days and deadlines Reporters cover a Boston Red Sox game from the press box at Fenway Park. Photo from Boston.com

11. Contact info Brian P. Moritz bpmoritz@syr.edu 6 Saratoga Ave. Binghamton NY 13903 (607) 341-5029 Com 606 Dr. Carol Liebler