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The Orange County Register put the story about T.J. Simers jumping from the LA Times on the front page of this morning's sports section — and outside the website paywall. No word on whether Simers' columns — to run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays — will be offered to the Internet or will disappear behind the Register paywall. From the story:
Simers said he has some clear objectives for his time at the Register.
“I live in Orange County and now work in Orange County with the goal of having a better year than the Angels,” Simers said. “I also hope to find a husband among Register readers for my daughter.”Simers’ columns initially will run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays but often will appear on other days as well.
Register sports editor Todd Harmonson said Simers’ addition gives the section “a starting rotation full of aces that has to be considered among the best in the nation.”
“T.J. is a master at driving the conversation with his brand of humor and holding accountable those who deserve it,” Harmonson said. “Some sports fans love him; others love to hate him. But they read him and are passionate in their feelings toward him. When we had the opportunity to add his voice to a fantastic group of columnists that is led by Mark Whicker, we knew it was the right move.”
First one will run Thursday, the story says. Simers left the Times this month after three months of being paid to not write columns, following a disagreement over his part in a promotional stunt with Dwight Howard and Mandalay Sports Media. Mandalay soon after let it be known the company was trying to develop a TV comedy based loosely on Simers' life. Times editors tersely disclosed to the staff last week that Simers was Register bound.
