Is Tom Goldstein Selling SCOTUSBlog?

November 9th, 2013

The eagle-eyed Howard Bashman notes an unnoticed correction in a profile by Mark Sherman for AP about Tom Goldstein.

In the original (available at USA Today), Sherman wrote:

Next year, Goldstein said he intends to sell SCOTUSblog. To that end, he wants a formal press credential for Denniston, whose pass is courtesy of a Boston public radio station for which he works only rarely, and maybe even Howe.

The formal recognition he seeks is part of a series of moves aimed at making SCOTUSblog more attractive to prospective buyers. “We put more effort into covering the Supreme Court than any other organization in American history,” Goldstein says, including in his claim even specialty legal publications like the American Lawyer.

But on the AP Official site, the story was rewritten with no correction:

The blog got a huge boost in credibility when it hired veteran reporter Lyle Denniston, who began covering the Supreme Court during the Eisenhower administration. He wants a formal press credential for Denniston, whose pass is courtesy of a Boston public radio station for which he works only rarely, and maybe even Howe.

I’ll inquire further about the reason for the alteration.

That Goldstein is attempting to sell SCOTUSBlog makes sense in light of their frustration with getting press credentials. I’ve noticed in the past a change to their business model, as Amy Howe has totally separated from the practice of law. This seems as a way of setting her up to get credentials (as the story reflects). If SCOTUSBlog is no longer owned by lawyers, and operated by Goldstein, it will more likely be treated as a media outlet.