Mariotti NOT joining Tribune

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on September 17, 2008 at 10:31:39:

In Reply to: Jay Mariotti.. back in Chicago newspapers posted by chicagomedia.org on September 12, 2008 at 10:28:52:

Former Sun-Times columnist Mariotti not joining Tribune

Discussions between former Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti and Tribune Co. about a possible role at the media company have ended, Mariotti said late Tuesday.

He said lawyers from the Sun-Times threatened to sue if he joined the company, claiming a jump to the competing news outlet would violate a non-compete agreement.

Mariotti and Tribune "talked about television, about the Internet, about the newspaper,'' he said. Mariotti said that discussions about working for Tribune Co.'s Chicago Tribune newspaper became a stumbling block. "The Sun-Times' lawyer threatened me with a lawsuit in 64-point type. Things sort of stalled,'' he added.

Executives at the Sun-Times could not be reached late Tuesday.

"At one point last week, there were lawyers on both sides looking into this,'' Mariotti said. "It's daunting to put together a deal. This [lawyer's letter] got thrown out in the middle of everything. We both decided that we can't do what we wanted to do.''

Sources at Tribune Co. confirmed conversations with Mariotti had been held, but Chicago Tribune Editor Gerould Kern would only say late Tuesday that "we have no plans to hire Jay Mariotti.''

Rumors about Mariotti's possible hiring at Tribune Co. began circulating almost immediately following his surprise resignation from the Sun-Times last month after 17 years. The opinionated and polarizing writer quit upon his return from covering the Olympic Games in Beijing, bemoaning the problems of newspapers being able to compete with the Internet and saying that the future of his business "sadly is not in newspapers.''

The paper's management accepted the resignation and shortly afterward announced that another round of newsroom cuts was under way.

Mariotti said Tuesday that he enjoyed the conversation with Tribune, one of his favorite targets as a columnist. "It's not your father's Tribune,'' Mariotti said, speaking about new management in the wake of Tribune Co.'s deal late last year to go private under a deal led by Sam Zell. "I enjoyed dealing with them. I think they have a great future.''

Mariotti, who continues his regular stint on ESPN's "Around the Horn,'' said that he is talking with other national media outlets.

(trib)

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: Former Sun-Times columnist Mariotti not joining Tribune : : Discussions between former Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti and Tribune Co. about a possible role at the media company have ended, Mariotti said late Tuesday. : He said lawyers from the Sun-Times threatened to sue if he joined the company, claiming a jump to the competing news outlet would violate a non-compete agreement. : Mariotti and Tribune "talked about television, about the Internet, about the newspaper,'' he said. Mariotti said that discussions about working for Tribune Co.'s Chicago Tribune newspaper became a stumbling block. "The Sun-Times' lawyer threatened me with a lawsuit in 64-point type. Things sort of stalled,'' he added. : Executives at the Sun-Times could not be reached late Tuesday. : "At one point last week, there were lawyers on both sides looking into this,'' Mariotti said. "It's daunting to put together a deal. This [lawyer's letter] got thrown out in the middle of everything. We both decided that we can't do what we wanted to do.'' : Sources at Tribune Co. confirmed conversations with Mariotti had been held, but Chicago Tribune Editor Gerould Kern would only say late Tuesday that "we have no plans to hire Jay Mariotti.'' : Rumors about Mariotti's possible hiring at Tribune Co. began circulating almost immediately following his surprise resignation from the Sun-Times last month after 17 years. The opinionated and polarizing writer quit upon his return from covering the Olympic Games in Beijing, bemoaning the problems of newspapers being able to compete with the Internet and saying that the future of his business "sadly is not in newspapers.'' : The paper's management accepted the resignation and shortly afterward announced that another round of newsroom cuts was under way. : Mariotti said Tuesday that he enjoyed the conversation with Tribune, one of his favorite targets as a columnist. "It's not your father's Tribune,'' Mariotti said, speaking about new management in the wake of Tribune Co.'s deal late last year to go private under a deal led by Sam Zell. "I enjoyed dealing with them. I think they have a great future.'' : Mariotti, who continues his regular stint on ESPN's "Around the Horn,'' said that he is talking with other national media outlets. : : (trib)

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