The Sacramento Press Adds Sports to Local News Coverage, Names Martin McNeal as Its First Sports Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding the scope of its local news coverage to include sports for the first time, The Sacramento Press (www.sacramentopress.com) today announced the addition of well-known local "man-about-sports" Martin McNeal to its growing team of talented journalists.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091008/TSPLOGO)

The hiring of McNeal, a former Sacramento Bee sports columnist, to report on the Sacramento sports scene is the online news organization's latest step in becoming a full-fledged news organization.

"We believe Marty McNeal will be a marvelous resource for The Sacramento Press," said Editor in Chief David Watts Barton. "We are responding to readers who tell us we should cover sports as part of our presentation of local news.   

"From high schools to the NBA, Marty brings us a wealth of experience and knowledge of the players, coaches and fans that our readers want to read about," said Barton.  "We look to him to provide in-depth coverage of the current stars as well as up-and-comers at all levels."

New York City native McNeal came to Sacramento in 1990 to cover the NBA for The Bee, then took over covering the Kings in 1992. During that time he became known as the local media expert on the team. He covered the team until the 2004-5 season, when he left the beat to write general sports columns. He left The Bee in early 2009.

McNeal, known to fans and players as "Marty Mac," has earned the respect of even those he might alienate from time to time with his strong opinions. 

"Covering the Kings in Sacramento has been a given since 1990," McNeal said. "The chance to hone my skills for a new medium, and to work with talented journalists and community contributors is an attractive concept."

Lynn Mayugba, Vice President of Corporate Strategy for The Sacramento Press, said: "Working with Marty McNeal broadens our horizons in the sports arena.  We wanted to do it right by bringing on one of Sacramento's premier sportswriters.  We didn't want to try local sports coverage unless we could do it well and Marty gives us that opportunity."

About the Sacramento Press

Aiming to rewrite the rules of journalism through community engagement, The Sacramento Press (www.sacramentopress.com) uses a hyper-local lens and an army of 700-plus community contributors to offer reporting and commentary on news and issues of interest to residents of the city's communities.  Through its powerful website, as well as its events and marketing services, the pioneering online media outlet partners with local business to advance their brands through sponsorships of community activities.  It also provides businesses social-networking-advisory services.

SOURCE The Sacramento Press

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