Require Whitlock Approval?? SPECULATION BEGINS ON REPLACEMENT FOR KC STAR SPORTS EDITOR POST
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07-31-2010 The ink was barely dry on the resignation announcement from the Kansas City Star (and first reported here) that Holly Lawton was resigning as sports editor when rumors of how the newspaper might backfill her post began circulating. In the somewhat odd announcement, Lawton said she was taking a position in the "private sector." However, it then added she would stay on as editor until a replacement could be found as the all-important football season gets under way. A source close to the situation says two former KC Star staffers might be strong candidates. High on the list is Derek Samson, who was a highly regarded high school reporter and columnist who left the Star and then returned to be Assistant Sports Editor-Colleges. He currently is with Sporting News Today and originally from Nebraska. Another strong candidate might be Tom Bergeron, former Sports Editor at the Newark Star Ledger and currently the Rivals High Senior Editor. Bergeron was the Assistant SE-Colleges at the Star and left for the editor's job at the Ledger and then took a buyout when the paper downsized. Bergeron's wife is also from the Kansas City area. Or, the decision-makers could go in a different direction to reduce costs. Parent company, McClatchy, could decide to combine its Kansas (Wichita and KC) operation. At one point there were rumors of bringing the Wichita Eagle's desk to Kansas City. (At the current time the Star's University of Kansas beat reporter also writes for the Eagle; the Eagle's Kansas State University beat reporter also writes for the Star.) The obvious benefit of combining sports staffs would be money-savings, which has been a high priority at McClatchy the past few years. If decision-makers decide to go in that direction then veteran Eagle Sports Editor Kirk Seminoff--who has been the SE there since 2000, could take over the reins at the Star and be the first step in bringing combining both sports operations. "The main question now is whether diva columnist Jason Whitlock will be making the final decision on his next boss," said a person close to the situation. "That's how ridiculous this situation has become."
08-03-2010
SAMSON ENDORSEMENT "I truly think Derek Samson would be an excellent choice. I found him to be a joy to work with." ----A former KC Star Sports Desk employee
08-01-2010
FROM TWITTER: "Seminoff a possible hire as Star sports editor? Titanic meet iceberg."
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