Jay Mariotti
By nature, the best newswriters look at things objectively – and in the world of sports, Jay Mariotti is one of the best. Trained to go after the story, he aims for the heart of what makes
the news. In his column in the Chicago Sun-Times, and on his show on Sporting News Radio, Mariotti boldly delivers both the facts and his opinion, whether they please people or not.
Mariotti’s objective approach is unusual. In the world of sports, everybody has their favorite teams and players. Not Mariotti. In his words, he “...never cheered or waved a terrible towel. I looked at
things objectively and never viewed a game as a fan. I simply watched the game and analyzed the events that took place.” Mariotti roots for only one thing: the best story. It’s a pretty safe bet that when the best stories do occur, Mariotti is present, sending his viewpoint out to be discussed by thousands.
Sometimes He is the Story
In addition to covering the top stories, Mariotti has sometimes unintentionally become the story. Once during the NBA playoffs, Mariotti wrote that “the Cleveland Cavaliers were playing like marshmallows,” prompting fans in Cleveland to throw marshmallows outside the Coliseum prior to game three. Fans sent Mariotti his own personal bag of marshmallows to his hotel room. And moments before tipoff, Michael Jordan told Mariotti, “It looks like I’m going to have to save your butt!”
Fearless
Mariotti describes himself as “fearless” and applies that trademark attitude to both his column and his show on Sporting News Radio. “The essence of sports is debate and that’s why my show
is on the cutting edge. It’s informative and entertaining, but more than anything it’s thought-provoking.” Sporting News Radio allows Mariotti the freedom to say whatever he wants, without being strong-armed or censored by outside forces. “I don’t do a show for the owners, general managers or the athletes. I’m not attached to any establishment... I tell it like it is. And that’s why I relate to, and appeal to, the common fan.”
He’s There
The commitment that first drove Mariotti to become a writer continues to energize his show, where he brings fans the biggest names in sports. His positions at the Chicago Sun-Times and Sporting News Radio take him to the sidelines of the games as they are happening. Through Mariotti, listeners gain first-hand access to the events and the newsmakers. Mariotti is a smart man. On his show, he makes use of the call-in format of Sporting News Radio to hear what his listeners think. He’s there to discuss the issues, stir the pot a little, and sends his thoughts out for listeners to form their own reactions. And when they call in, Mariotti expects them
Sometimes He is the Story:
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