Windhorst possibly leaving PD to cover Miami Heat

• Commander of Awesome

  

  http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/main-cavs-writer-likely-to-cover-heat-for-espn-29040
  
  Multiple sources have confirmed to me in the past week that ESPN has designs on hiring Cleveland Cavaliers beat reporter Brian Windhorst away from the CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER to cover the Miami Heat this season for ESPN.com.
  
  
  
  Windhorst, who has covered the Cavs sinces 2003, has not been available for comment in the past week, though he did file a story for the Plain Dealer yesterday and has yet to announce a change of address publicly. Sources tell me that a deal between Windhorst and ESPN has not yet been finalized.
  
  Windhorst already has ties to Bristol. Since 2006, he’s contributed to ESPN.com and ESPN2’s First Take television show on a part-time basis. He also reportedly has a home in Jupiter, Florida - a relatively short drive from Miami.
  
  Late last week ESPN was also in the process of hiring another well-known, Miami-based NBA reporter to cover the Heat for ESPN.com.
  
  I’ve been told that Mike Wallace, who last season served as Heat beat reporter for the MIAMI HERALD, has resigned his position with the newspaper and will likely join ESPN.com to cover the Heat while also contributing national NBA coverage. Like Windhorst, Wallace’s deal with ESPN has not been completely consumated.
  
  Sources tell me there would be no plans to use Windhorst and Wallace on ESPN television if they are brought on board by the network.
  
  ESPN has already announced it is sending four TV on-air staffers to cover Heat Training Camp. With Wallace and Windhorst, the network could potentially have six reporters covering the Heat before the NBA season starts.
  
  The move to hire two, full-time ESPN.com reporters to cover the Heat beat could be seen by some as a prelude to ESPN launching a local ESPNMiami.com site, but I’ve been told that the launch of such a site is not imminent.
  
  The most prominent Cleveland reporter chronicling the fortunes of LeBron James since he entered the NBA, Windhorst also covered James for the AKRON BEACON-JOURNAL while the hoops prodigy was in high school and wrote a book with celebrated Cleveland sportswriter and author Terry Pluto about the NBA star.
  
  When contacted, an ESPN spokesman had no comment on Windhorst and Wallace joining the network.
• lhslep134

  

  I saw this, and it makes sense.
  
  He was hired by the Plain Dealer for both his journalistic skills but more importantly for his close ties with Lebron. That's why I wouldn't be surprised for him to leave.
  
  
  Also, you want to talk about job? Hmm, at least in my eyes, ESPN > Plain Dealer
• grodt

  

  This would suck if true. Windy is a great writer but I can't say I'd blame him for jumping to ESPN. It's a shame it'd have to be to cover the Heat.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  He is imo the best writer on the PD staff. Grossi is a fucking joke and writes sci fi more than actual reporting. Pluto isn't terribile, but doesn't seem to know his stuff as well as he should, aka listen to his weekly podcast. Windhorst I felt had the best inside info, the best insight, critical when needed, etc... Would be a shame to lose him, but I would certainly understand.
  
  To add to the ESPN > PD, its not even close. ESPN is the sports news, PD might not be around 10 yrs from now.
• jordo212000

  

  Sure, ESPN is a better gig than the Plain Dealer, but to me the real trump card is winter in Miami over winter in Cleveland.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  He was always on the road in the Winter, from Cleveland, and has a home in Jupiter FL already. I understand the point youre trying to make, but I dont think its all that valid.
• jordo212000

  

  Commander of Awesome;501257 wrote:He was always on the road in the Winter, from Cleveland, and has a home in Jupiter FL already. I understand the point youre trying to make, but I dont think its all that valid.

  
  He would still be in either location at least 41 games/nights a year. Give me 41 nights in South Beach
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Except the heat dont play in South Beach.
• TBone14

  

  That's it. I'm hitting the streets and burning all of his articles in public.
• se-alum

  

  Certainly can't blame the guy...unless he has an hour special on ESPN to proclaim that he's "taking his journalistic talents to South Beach".
• thedynasty1998

  

  It was obvious that his "sources" last year were either Lebron or Ferry, and with those two gone I think he lost some of his insider information. If he is that close to Lebron, it makes sense for him to cover the Heat.
  
  Good for him, as it's certainly a promotion.
  
  Anyone remember if he ever really talked bad about Lebron? I know he was very disappointed, but I don't really remember him insulting Lebron on a personal level.
• lhslep134

  

  thedynasty1998;501399 wrote:It was obvious that his "sources" last year were either Lebron or Ferry, and with those two gone I think he lost some of his insider information. If he is that close to Lebron, it makes sense for him to cover the Heat.
  
  Good for him, as it's certainly a promotion.
  
  Anyone remember if he ever really talked bad about Lebron? I know he was very disappointed, but I don't really remember him insulting Lebron on a personal level.

  
  I believe the most he said was "this isn't the Lebron I know".
  
  Interpret that however you want. It's certainly not positive, but it's definitely not as critical as he could have been.
• j_crazy

  

  CRUCIFY HIM!!!
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Windhorst was highly critical of LBJ, in his writings, and his podcats. Dyanasty it is not obvious who his source is/was, youre just an idiot and have been spouting that garbage since FA started.
  
  I saw this posted else where and thought he made a good point, "
  
  this doesn't surprise me, and i wouldn't hold it against him if he left. it's not the same as lbj leaving cleveland. when you work for a small town paper, it would be every writer's dream to work at the biggest sports outlet there is (even if they suck) with lbj, he could have reached the highest level in cleveland but chose to take the easy way out.
  
  HOWEVER
  
  if windy was on board with the whole lbj thing, and knew it from the start, that throws his credibility right out the window. the way he acted the day before the decision, with how he was surprised "it's all clear to me now" i will never read another thing he wrote ever again. but we have no idea if he knew, and we never will."
• Fly4Fun

  

  You can't blame the guy for leaving.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Fly4Fun;501568 wrote:You can't blame the guy for leaving.

  
  Exactly...most people leave their jobs when a better opportunity arises.
• jordo212000

  

  Commander of Awesome;501291 wrote:Except the heat dont play in South Beach.

  
  I think he will survive the 5.3 mile drive. smh
• KR1245

  

  Good for him
• Commander of Awesome

  

  jordo212000;501600 wrote:I think he will survive the 5.3 mile drive. smh

  
  Marietta College. smh.
• justincredible

  

  Wtf is wrong with Marietta College?
• -Society-

  

  justincredible;501745 wrote:Wtf is wrong with Marietta College?

  
  Other than the fact it's Marietta College?
• justincredible

  

  -Society-;502252 wrote:Other than the fact it's Marietta College?

  
  Oooohhhhh, good one!
• trep14

  What's up with the MC hate?
• Commander of Awesome

  

  justincredible;501745 wrote:Wtf is wrong with Marietta College?

  
  They let dumbasses like Jordo in, obviously the school doesn't have high academic standards.
• justincredible

  

  Commander of Awesome;502281 wrote:They let dumbasses like Jordo in, obviously the school doesn't have high academic standards.

  
  Oh cool.