I recognize the value in the synergies created by merging many of the duplicative functions created by having operations in both Raleigh and Charlotte; but, the N&O’s Sports Page had easily become the best part of the newspaper while the Charlotte Observer‘s sports page is rife with bias, off-base coverage and one of the worst I have ever seen.
Of all the fanbases out there, this move should scare NC State fans the most. Charlotte has a history of misunderstanding NC State while taking an absurdly adversarial approach to the Wolfpack when they choose to cover State – which is disproportionately less than the size and magnitude of NC State fans and followers would warrant as the area’s largest University.
The N&O will merge its sports, political and research departments with those in Charlotte. An editor in Charlotte will oversee the sports report; the political reporters will be managed by an editor in Raleigh; and the research team will be led from Raleigh.
The N&O will begin producing only two daily editions: one for the Triangle and one for the rest of its circulation area.
