The change has been more jarring for the biggest newspapers, like USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. They have always lost the occasional writer to a better offer from a magazine or from television, but not on this scale.

“When you lose an established star like Howard Bryant, it’s a terrible blow, because they’re not easily replaceable,” said Mr. [Emilio] Garcia-Ruiz of The Post. “We’re used to being a destination, not a stepping stone.”

- Richard Pérez-Peña, "The Top Player in This League? It May Be the Sports Reporter," New York Times, on how the recent windfall for sports journalists has hurt print outlets.