The dream begins (The National: Part two)
1989: The Dream begins
How often do you get to start a newspaper from scratch and watch it grow? Imagine someone saying, “Here, Karl, is a blank check and some empty floor space. Go hire some new talent with new ideas and get new hardware, the newest technology …”
Mission accomplished.
But sadly, about 18 months later, someone stopped by my desk and said, “Frank wants to see everyone in the middle of the floor.” I looked up and saw a crowd gathering around The National’s editor, Frank Deford, one of the greatest sportswriters in America after 27 years at Sports Illustrated. He was waving the entire New York staff into the center of the newsroom. I joined the puzzled crowd and heard him say, with head bowed, a flop of thick Clark Gable-like hair dangling over his forehead and an outstretched arm melodramatically supporting his tall, elegant frame against a pillar:
“I’m sorry to say that tomorrow’s issue of The National … will be its last.â€
There were gasps and looks of shock and bewilderment. The dream that was The National had come to a crashing halt and none of us was wearing a seat belt. Just days earlier we’d been told that things were going to be fine. But the paper, with a circulation reaching only 200,000 instead of the hoped for 400,000, had lost about $100 million.
The National was the brainchild of Mexican media billionaire Emilio Azcárraga who, over dinner one night had asked Peter Price, publisher of the New York Post, how many sports dailies there were in America (Mexican fans supported many). When Price replied “none†Azcárraga and Price hatched a plan to start one and Price became The National’s president and publisher.
The only time I met Azcárraga was when I spotted a dapper man wearing a cape (yes, a cape) in the newsroom shadowed by an underling who was struggling under the weight of a heavy cardboard box. The caped Azcárraga was reaching into the box and handing something to employees with great flourish. When he reached me, a massive solid gold Mexican coin with the image of an eagle battling a snake was thrust into one hand while a firm grip shook the other. I quickly became a big fan.
I wonder where that coin is …
In the next installment: “Newspapering in Paradise”
February 6th, 2007 at 10:57 am
My recollection of the announcement was a little less romantic. My son and I had just made a beer run, and on the way home the radio announcer said, “Well, if you think YOU’VE had a bad day, it could be worse. The folks at the National Sports Daily got word today that the paper is ceasing publication …”
Good thing I had beer!
I’ve also heard a tale that somebody who hadn’t heard was asked what we had planned for the cover “of the final edition,” and the answer was “Well, we thought we swap out the Dodgers game for the Cubs …”
Anyone know if that’s apocryphal?
Sure was fun while it lasted.
February 6th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I remember that last day. We had a team in the NY Press league and had just finished an undefeated season. We all came back to the newsroom all sweaty, most everyone with their uniforms still on. I had hit a home run during that game and had been given the game ball. I passed the ball around for folks to sign. You and Don drew pictures.
After a year out of work, I finally got a job at the Gannett Papers in White Plains. I passed a rest stop on the NJ Parkway and there was still a National box in the parking lot. One night on my way home, I put the box in my car and took it home.
I still have that 20 peso gold piece. I’ve thought about selling it several times, but can’t bring myself to part with it.