STORY UPDATE: KC STAR ANNOUNCES LAWTON RESIGNATION We have been informed by a source at the Kansas City Star that the newspaper has officially announced the resignation of Holly Lawton as Sports Editor. She denied her resignation had anything to do with a perceived conflict with Jason Whitlock. "Nope, not at all," she told Bottom Line.
Holly Lawton
07-29-2010 BLC EXCLUSIVE STAR'S HOLLY LAWTON MAY BAIL OVER WHITLOCK ANTICS Sports fans have become accustomed to spoiled athletes making demands and threatening to leave if they don't get their way. In fact, with athletes the practice has become almost commonplace. However, they are not used to their sports columnists acting the same way. That certainly seems to be the case with Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock, who has caused considerable internal consternation and speculation these days--even though he has not written a word for the newspaper since May 26. Whitlock recently wrote a column for FOX Sports that not only blasted Mitch "Myth" Albom over receiving sportswriting's prestigious Associated Press Sports Editor's award, but in the process also backhanded Star Managing Editor Mike Fannin, who is a past president of the group (LINK). And now word is leaking out that veteran Star Sports Editor Holly Lawton, who succeeded Fannin as sports editor, may be leaving the newspaper over internal political battles with Whitlock. Lawton has been an award-winning sports editor for 18 years, including 6 1/2 as Deputy Sports Editor at the Star and most recently as the Star's Assistant Managing Editor-Sports the past four years. She has also has been a highly respected editor with The Sporting News and the Oregonian during her career. Insiders have said for years that Whitlock's columns frequently require significant editing. Reportedly, Whitlock does not like anyone editing with his work, or even offer suggestions for improvement (particularly not a woman). "Having a rational, competent, prize-winning supervisor was too much of a burden for someone with his talent and intellect," said a source close to the situation sarcastically. In an effort to try and control the behind-the-scenes drama, Whitlock on July 26th posted a Tweet to his followers: "If u live n KC, do not believe anything said about me from ANYONE unless u hear it directly from me. There's only 1 source 4 news about me." "When they write a book about all the ways to destroy staff morale, the Star will get several chapters," said the source.
RUN COLUMNS UNEDITED "Let's see what kind of quality writer Whitlock really is, publish his columns unedited! We could all use a good laugh!"
NEXT!! "Who's next in line to take Holly's spot at the Star? Or, more likely, who, in the Sports Department wants it?"
EDITING OF COLUMNS "I've read some of Whitlock's unedited columns. Wretched! Holly obviously deserves many awards!" ---Fellow Editor
LAYOFFS "More star layoffs coming in August??? Too bad Jason Fatlock isn't part of the departing souls."
08-01-2010 DIVERSITY ISSUES "If Whitlock hasn't written since May, is he still with the Star? Never underestimate (Publisher Mark) Zieman's "diversity" issues :) "
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