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June 25, 2006

Dear AP Sounding Board members,

We asked for an assessment of AP's pre-tournament coverage of the World Cup soccer championships, which start today in Munich, Germany.

Sports departments at 15 newspapers replied, generally with very praiseworthy comments. There's no question that the World Cup has "arrived" for U.S. sports fans.

Most editors indicated substantial space – from several columns to a full page or more daily – will be allocated to the tournament. A strong U.S. team performance would result in additional coverage for many papers. Story interests range from game-day roundups and daily all-tournament summaries to player profiles, analyses, notebooks, short, offbeat features and brites.

In two cases, where editors asked for specific stories, team rosters and U.S. players' headshots, AP was able respond right away with the requested material.

Ben Walker, AP deputy sports editor, replied in an e-mail: "Terry (Taylor) and Ron (Blum) and the whole crew will provide ample coverage every day, and you can definitely count on AP to provide all you need. That said, please let us know if there any specific stories or ideas that catch your interest ... we're ready to write."

Santiago Lyon, AP photo director, e-mailed: "I believe we are handling the U.S. team headshots now, or just about to. Thanks, Santiago"

Comments on World Cup graphics were looked at closely by AP's artists. "We always do everything in color and black and white," noted Ed Degasero Jr., in response to one question about color formats.

Another Sounding Board survey of AP's coverage is planned near the end of the month-long tournament. In the meantime, World Cup requests can be directed to relevant N.Y. Departments for handling.

Responses follow, in the order they came in. Our thanks to all who participated.

— Dave Minthorn

Robert Gagliardi, sports editor, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne, Wyo.

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Multimedia: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Television: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, What are you looking for most in AP coverage of the World Cup? Anything you've seen from others' World Cup coverage – for this or previous tournaments – that AP could learn from?

Looking for features, enterprise, analysis and stories of those nature, along with the usual game coverage.

4, How much daily space do you plan to devote to the World Cup? Would a strong U.S. team performance impact on these plans?

Not sure on the space right now. Would like to dedicate at least one page per day. It would help if the U.S. did well.

Donald J. Detore, Sports Editor, The Repository, Canton, Ohio:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: AP has done a good job in providing stories in advance of the event.

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: However, we don't have the space to run many.

Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Ditto.

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: Not sure

Television:  Yes __ No __ elaborate: Not applicable.

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No: __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, We are looking for interesting stories from the American perspective, but we also know that some of our Hispanic readers will be looking at following their favorite teams. We hope to be able to provide plenty of balanced material.

4, We will generally one run story, with the news of the day. If the U.S. team surprises and we sense that increased interest, we will increase our coverage. As the tournament progresses, we expect to offer readers as much as we can.

Ruben Luna, sports editor, The Detroit News:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: We have a reporter working on a preview, from here, and he has found this information helpful.

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Have used sparingly.

Graphics: Yes __ No__ elaborate: Haven't used any.

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A.

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A.

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes __ No: _x_ If not, what other sources will you use?

Our sister papers, The Denver Post and L.A. Daily News, will provide additional coverage. We will use every source available.

3, It's hard to say. Our readers' interest may not be as high as other papers. Still, we look for not only the "game" information, but good stories (profiles, etc.)

4, We plan to devote at least 3 columns of space daily – maybe more (depends on space adjustments). The U.S. performance, good or bad, will not alter plans.

Shannon Conner, sports editor, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Ariz.:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Graphics: Yes __ No _x_ elaborate: We've generated our own and used one Knight Ridder graphic of the stadiums.
Multimedia: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?
Yes _x_ No: __ If not, what other sources will you use?

Also will use postcards from locals attending and Scripps Howard wire service.

4, A strong U.S performance would expand the coverage. We will use a story on the cover each day plus photos on the cover and inside on the jump.

James Edward, prep sports editor, Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: There's only been one noticeable problem, which I explain below in the photos section.

Photos: Yes __ No _x_ elaborate: In 2002 you sent out head shots of all 23 players on the U.S. roster, but this year I've had a hard time tracking those down. As of June 5, they still haven't moved across the AP wire.

(N.Y. Photos moved quickly meet this request)

Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: Not Applicable.

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate: Not Applicable.

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No: __ If not, what other sources will you use?

4, We'll be dedicating about a page a day, and bump that up to a 1½ to 2 pages on U.S. games. Of course if the U.S. keeps winning the more interest there will be and the more stories we'll publish.

Roy Hewitt, sports editor, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes __ No _x_ elaborate: There doesn't seem to be much on rosters, player capsules, features, analysis so far, particularly on the U.S. team. A lot moved this past weekend.

(After the transmitted AP material was pointed out, Ray explained, "I suspect we were looking for stories, just not when you were moving them ...")

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No: __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, Game coverage, analysis, features, brites.

4, 2-3 columns a day and, yes, the U.S. performance will impact our coverage.

Rob Wieman, night sports editor, The News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash.:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: More behind-the-scenes stuff, please.
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Especially good.
Graphics: Yes __ No __ elaborate: Haven't used any.
Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A.
Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate: Television?

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, Mostly looking for stories that get to the point right away. Our space is limited. But we want color, especially in the form of notebooks.

4, A page or so; more or less as events warrant.

Tom Batzold, sports editor, Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, N.Y.:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Graphics: Yes __ No _x_ elaborate: AP graphics generally fall behind KRT and Gannett
Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A
Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use? Hopefully, deadlines will not be an issue, AP slipping on events such as Stanley Cup, NBA and baseball.

3, Looking for a concise wrapup of the days events. Game of the day. What to watch for, etc.

4, No additional space in the budget, but strong USA perfornmance would mean more coverage.

Mat Graf, assistant sports editor, Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Ky.:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Multimedia: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Television: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes __ No _x_ If not, what other sources will you use? AP will be our primary source for results and game stories, but we'll supplement with our other wire services for columns, features and notes.

3, From AP, we're most seeking quickly turned around game stories and optionals that we can count on receiving at times we expect.

4, Most days, we'll probably devote no more than a half-page to World Cup coverage. However, the U.S. performance will dictate much of what we do.

Doug Jacobs, deputy sports editor, The Tampa Tribune:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: We had more than we needed between a staffer working on stories and things like capsules, rosters and schedules from AP.

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: With space being so tight, we haven't the need for many photos.

Graphics: Yes _x_ No___ elaborate:

Multimedia: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _X_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, Interesting notes, short, interesting features.

4, 6 columns per day ... Probably not, because our space has already been allocated.

Richard Tijerina, deputy sports editor, Austin American-Statesman:

1, Stories: Yes – Jim Litke's piece for Thursday ended up on A1 for us, and our weeklong packages have been heavy with wires.

Photos: Yes.

Graphics: No, but only because we haven't utilized them yet.

Multimedia: No.

TV: No.

2. Yes.

3. We have high confidence that AP will provide quality coverage of games, but we also will be open to takeouts and features, not just on players and teams but also on the bigger picture of the event and cities.

4. We're planning for one inside page a day for World Cup coverage, regardless of how the Americans fare.

J.R. Ogden, sports editor, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa:

1. Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:

Graphics: Yes_x_ No __ elaborate:

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, We are more like to run good features on top players, U.S. player preferred. Game coverage will be in roundup format.

4, We will run a daily roundup, making a bigger deal out of the U.S. games, possibly on cover when/if U.S. wins. Yes, our coverage would expand if U.S. does well.

Mike Harris, assistant sports editor, Richmond Times-Dispatch:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:

Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Good variety.

Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Same.

Graphics: Yes __ No __ elaborate: I can't answer this as I haven't seen them.

Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A for us.

Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate: N/A for us.

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use? We will check other wire services to see what they have but AP will be the bulk of what we use.

3, Heavy copy from U.S. games, concise roundups on days U.S. doesn't play. Also good: Once the tournament progresses, how other games affect advancement.

4, We'll do at least one story daily summarizing the entire tournament, more on same days particularly when the U.S. is playing.

Brian Kollars, sports editor, Dayton Daily News:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: A wide variety of topics, including updates on Mexico. Loved the story about the concerns that British fans will provoke Germans with WWII songs.
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate:
Graphics: Yes __ No _x_ elaborate: We didn't have color for the full-page World Cup primer, which pretty much defeats the purpose of including the color of each country's jersey. The day-by-day schedule, I think, would have been better had it included times and TV. That said, the main part of that graphic, showing where games would be played, was outstanding. Thank you.
Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate:
Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

3, The more quick-hitting info, the better. You've done a great job in recent years of providing summaries, or quick reads, from big events.

4, Half a page or less, more when the U.S. Plays. They'll be on our cover; no guarantees on other days. Yes, the U.S. Performance certainly impacts our plans once group play is complete.

Kevin Whaley, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

1, Has AP's pre-tournament coverage met your needs in all formats:
Stories: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Very thorough. Complete coverage.
Photos: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: Plenty to choose from. Made our centerpieces much better.
Graphics: Yes _x_ No __ elaborate: We used several, including one that detailed all 32 teams.
Multimedia: Yes __ No __ elaborate:
Television: Yes __ No __ elaborate:

2, During the tournament, will you rely on AP as your main source of information about the World Cup?

Yes _x_ No __ If not, what other sources will you use?

We have a reporter in Germany working on enterprise pieces and covering selected games, including all of the United States game, but the rest of our coverage will depend on AP.

3, We will be compiling a daily rail, so we're looking for interesting tidbits, news of the day, etc. We also will rely on AP for most breaking news, if our reporter is unable to get to the location of the news.

4, We will have a daily cover story and three columns inside. This likely would expand if the U.S. has a great run beyond the first round.

Dave Minthorn, manager, AP News Administration, coordinates the questions and answers. Newspaper editors wishing to suggest a topic can send an e-mail to Minthorn at dminthorn@ap.org.

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