Gawker on the odds the Rocky Mountain News survives

What with the news about the Tribune Co. filing for bankruptcy yesterday, it's no surprise that the folks at Gawker are wondering if some notable newspapers will fail in the near future. "Newspapers: The Official Survival Odds" finds writer Hamilton Nolan weighing in on the future of the New York...

By Michael Roberts

December 9, 2008

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What with the news about the Tribune Co. filing for bankruptcy yesterday, it's no surprise that the folks at Gawker are wondering if some notable newspapers will fail in the near future. "Newspapers: The Official Survival Odds" finds writer Hamilton Nolan weighing in on the future of the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times (which is owned by Tribune), the Boston Globe, the Newark Star-Ledger and your Rocky Mountain News. Nolan doesn't have positive things to say about the Rocky's chances, declaring: "Has no compelling reason to exist (Denver will still have its Post), and will not be bought, barring a Powerball win by a top editor." And yet he puts its odds of survival at a generous 10-1.

Either Nolan doesn't really understand how this whole odds thing works, or beneath his crusty exterior, he's an incredible optimist. Betcha most Rocky newsroomers would put things in the 1000-1 range or above. -- Michael Roberts

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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