ESPN launched The File Blog (subscription only) on Tuesday through their Insider page on ESPN.com. While a lot of us will undoubtedly refuse to admit it, the concept is an intriguing one that is sure to result in some interesting information from the sports world coming into the public eye. The blog, which is run by Shaun Assael, “uses public information requests, court filings, government data, and reader-furnished material to go deeper into the stories that the sports world is talking about,” according to their homepage.
The introductory column includes a breakdown of how much it cost the Alabama football team to visit the White House in March, which ended up being a measly $97,327, among other interesting behind-the-scenes information from various college football programs.
The section that I found most mind-boggling was about none other than Tim Tebow. Although Tebow is now at the bottom of the food chain in the NFL, carrying shoulder pads and being given a Friar Tuck haircut, we’re reminded that he was once on top. In fact, when he became ill with a flu virus that was spreading throughout the Florida Gators locker room, Florida paid nearly $10,000 to charter him a private flight to Kentucky to play the Wildcats. I realize the precaution was taken to protect the entire team, but it’s no coincidence Tebow was the one getting quarantined. That’s what I call star treatment.
Bottom line is The File got it right on their first day. You would have to be a fully delusional ESPN-hater to say the concept has no potential. I’m not going to sit here and bash the idea, because I’m sure it will be providing us with some blog-worthy content in the coming days.
How the Tide roll [The File Blog]
