Tim Sullivan

Tim Sullivan's Dismissal From San Diego Union-Tribune Draws Strong Media Response

Published June 4, 2012

Plenty of folks are "upset at the San Diego Union-Tribune for booting out popular long-time columnist Tim Sullivan” on Friday, according to Ed Sherman of SHERMANREPORT.com. Sullivan wrote on his Twitter feed, “(Friday) marks the end of my 10 years with the Union-Tribune. Thanks to all who have offered their insight, their time and their readership.” He added, “I was reporting a column this afternoon when I was notified my services were no longer required” (SHERMANREPORT.com, 6/2).

NOT ENOUGH CHEER? In Cincinnati, Paul Daugherty writes Sullivan was fired "apparently because ownership at the San Diego Union Tribune didn't think Sully was 'positive' enough regarding the local sports teams." Daugherty writes, "It's not a columnist's job to be 'positive.' That's why we have chambers of commerce. ... To dismiss a capable opinion writer for writing his opinion is egregious and dangerous" (CINCINNATI.com, 6/4). In California, Jay Paris wrote Sullivan is "not only a keen writer, but among the better guys in our business" (NCTIMES.com, 6/3).

TWITTER REAX: Several members of the media took to Twitter to offer their opinions. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal said, “I’m biased, Tim Sullivan is my friend. But I will say this -- it is insane that the San Diego U-T let him go. He is a brilliant columnist.” Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown: “TimSullivan714 is one of the most talented, decent and intelligent columnists in the country. What a thing.” The Buffalo News' Jerry Sullivan: "Tim was fired from job as sports columnist at the Union-Tribune in San Diego. Word is, because he wouldn't be a cheerleader for new stadium. Tim Sullivan was my mentor at Missouri and the man mainly responsible for me taking journalism seriously when I was a kid. I'm proud of him." The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Bill Livingston: "All best to Tim Sullivan, late of the SD Union-Tribune, an excellent sports columnist who deserved far better." FoxSports.com's Tracy Ringolsby: "Too bad newspaper owners aren't as committed to good product as they demand from teams. SD Union Trib is a farce, laying off Tim Sullivan."