YAHOO FINANCE's Daniel Roberts notes buying NeuLion "fits a recent pattern of acquisitive behavior" by Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel. However, BAMTech is one competitor that "looms large." NeuLion is "certainly less flashy than BAMTech, but maybe not for much longer." The door now is "open to start using NeuLion to stream a wide range of sports or non-sports projects by Endeavor’s star clients" (FINANCE.YAHOO.com, 3/29).
THE DECISION: THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch said his decision to leave SI was "pretty excruciating." Deitsch said, "They could not give me any kind of guarantee on what is going to happen to the company because the people who I worked for can't control it. ... Meredith has no experience with the kind of things Sports Illustrated and Time do -- weekly, news weekly magazines." He added, "I wanted, at least, to take some personal control of my own journey as opposed to hoping and sticking around for a roll of the dice that Sports Illustrated would get a great steward" ("The TK Show," 3/29).
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER: In Boston, Chad Finn noted a launch date for The Athletic's Boston-based site "isn't certain," but its lineup of writers is "taking shape." Fluto Shinzawa is leaving the Boston Globe to "become the site’s Bruins writer." MassLive.com's Jen McCaffrey and the Boston Herald's Chad Jennings "will cover the Red Sox," while MassLive.com's Jay King "will be the Celtics reporter." The site’s Patriots hire "will be evident in the coming days." It is "uncertain who will be the local editor of the site" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 3/29).
MOVIN' OUT: In Houston, David Barron notes longtime Dallas Morning News sports media writer Barry Horn is "no longer with the newspaper" (HOUSTONCHRONICLE.com, 3/29).
