TFD: Recommended reading -- two pieces from Grantland on "The National"

Good times.

June 10, 2011 at 9:55PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Grantland -- the new Bill Simmons venture via ESPN -- probably won't be able to fill its site every day with stories of how talented journalists had the time of their lives telling great stories and losing $150 million in 18 months. But Friday, it had just that with stories of "The National," a noble experiment in creating a national daily sports newspaper two decades ago.

If you haven't been to Grantland yet -- it launched this week -- consider this a perfect time to get your introduction via this series of recollections from those who were there and this account from National-turned-Grantland contributor Charles P. Pierce.

If The National failed in part because it burned money and had a ridiculously poor set-up plan on the business end, maybe Grantland can succeed with a similarly high-minded concept without the printing press nightmares and other such barriers? Even if it doesn't, it seems like Grantland will be fun for however long it lasts.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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