It’s been fairly well-documented, to say the least, that NBA free agency started July 1, with many big names on the move – most notably, LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami with Dwyane Wade.
A lesser known fact is that July 1 also marked the beginning of the free-agency period for many of the nation’s sportswriters.
Much like the NBA, there was a moratorium in place during the first week of free agency during which media outlets could only talk with writers, but not formally offer them contracts.
It was during that time that I met with several suitors about joining their organization and bringing my journalism skills to the table.
Out of respect for the outlets courting me the last couple of weeks, I’ve remained quiet on the subject of my future.
Until now, that is.
I’ve decided to take a page out of LeBron’s playbook and will publicly make my decision in this column.
Okay, so it’s not quite like LeBron’s decision, since he did it on an hour-long special on national TV special. But this is close. I mean, after all, the name of my column is The Tom Green Show.
Like LeBron, the proceeds from my announcement in this column – in a paper you pay nothing for – will go to a yet-to-be-determined charity of my choice.
Before I get to my much-anticipated decision, I’d like to share with you all some of what I have gone through during this whole courting process.
Let me start by saying this has been quite an experience for myself and my representatives.
I appreciate the presentations given to me by six different newspapers from across the nation. Each one put on a fantastic presentation that shows their organization’s willingness to achieve excellence in the field of sports journalism.
I just want to let everyone know that this decision wasn’t solely based on money, but based on what gives me the best chance to achieve greatness.
It’s been a very tough couple of weeks for me to make this choice. I’ve had a lot of people in my ear giving me advice, but at the end of the day, this is about what’s best for my family and my future.
When it ultimately came down to making my choice, I put everyone else’s opinions aside and thought long and hard about it, going back and forth over where to sign several times, including as recently as Monday afternoon.
And now, for the decision that everyone wants to know: This fall, man, this is very tough. This fall, I’m going to take my writing talents to South Beach and join the Miami Herald.
This was a very tough decision for me, leaving behind the Independent Florida Alligator, the paper that decided to give me my first opportunity.
But I feel this is the best opportunity for me to join forces with some of the best sportswriters available during this free-agent period and build a media dynasty.
It is my intention to join forces with the likes of columnists Dan LeBatard and alligatorSports alumnus Israel Gutierrez to form the Miami Herald’s own version of the “Miami Thrice,” or my personal favorite: The Trio Five.
I will be signing a contract worth less than the maximum offered to me in order for the paper to bring in other journalists in their prime to round out the rest of the staff.
While I will be taking less money than what the Alligator can offer me, the exact numbers for the deal cannot be disclosed at the moment.
Hopefully, my fans here in Gainesville respect my decision and understand that I gave them my all during my time at the Alligator.
I will always remember the work I did here, and just know that you guys were lucky to have me.
And most importantly, I hope my boss, Anthony Chiang, doesn’t take this personally and bash me in a letter to readers typed in Comic Sans font, because that would be both unfortunate and something he might regret down the road.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I must catch a private jet to Miami, where the city is throwing a welcome party for its new free-agent haul.
Editor’s note: Even though UF students may feel betrayed, this newspaper would gladly welcome Tom Green back.
