L.A. Kings hires its own sports reporter

Kyle Clifford #64 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Colorado Avalanche during preseason NHL action at the Pepsi Center on September 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Kings 3-2.

Cut backs at major newspapers have left many local beats all but uncovered. The LA Kings, unsatisfied with the level of coverage of sports in LA, has decided to do something novel--and perhaps a bit unnerving. They are "paying" for coverage by hiring Los Angeles Daily News sports reporter Rich Hammond. But how can one expect objective coverage under such circumstances? What does this mean for the future of sports reporting and reporting generally?

Cut backs at major newspapers have left many local beats all but uncovered. The LA Kings, unsatisfied with the level of coverage of sports in LA, has decided to do something novel--and perhaps a bit unnerving. They are "paying" for coverage by hiring Los Angeles Daily News sports reporter Rich Hammond. But how can one expect objective coverage under such circumstances? What does this mean for the future of sports reporting and reporting generally?

Guests:

Rich Hammond, Deputy Sports Editor for the Los Angeles Daily News

Mike Altieri, a spokesman for the L.A. Kings