Bill Wulf: A Legacy of Sports Journalism and Storytelling
From the small-town newsrooms of New York to the heights of national sports media, Bill Wulf has carved out a distinguished career spanning four decades. Known for his wit, tenacity, and deep knowledge of athletics, Wulf's journey reflects the evolution of modern sports journalism, moving from local recaps to shaping the editorial voice of some of the world's most influential publications.
The Early Years: From Norwich to National Fame
Wulf began his professional journey at The Evening Sun, a local newspaper in Norwich, NY. During his 15-month tenure as the sportswriter, Wulf developed a sense of humor that would define much of his work. In one memorable instance during a slow summer, Wulf found himself in the unusual position of being the only player to go hitless in a 29-5 local softball victory. Lacking other interviewees, he famously quoted himself in the game recap, jokingly claiming he was responsible for "keeping the score down" during a "two-game batting slump in one night."
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Following his time in Norwich, Wulf moved south to serve as the horse-racing writer for the Fort Lauderdale News. His career then took him to Boston for freelance work before he landed a pivotal role as a fact-checker at Sports Illustrated. Through dedication and skill, he rose through the ranks to become a staff writer, eventually transitioning to Time Magazine. His expertise later led him to become one of the original editors for ESPN The Magazine when the network launched its own print publication.
The Michael Jordan Controversy
One of the most defining moments of Wulf's career occurred in March 1994. He authored a cover story regarding Michael Jordan's foray into minor-league baseball, titled "Bag It Michael." The provocative nature of the headline caused a significant rift; Jordan severed official communication with Sports Illustrated, a silence that has persisted to this day.
Years later, in the ESPN documentary series 30 for 30, specifically the episode Jordan Rides the Bus, Wulf reflected on the piece. He admitted to being overly critical of Jordan in the original article. He also revealed a lesser-known fact: he visited Jordan a second time and wrote a follow-up story highlighting the basketball legend's major-league potential, but Sports Illustrated chose not to publish it.
Contributions to Books, Film, and Television
Beyond the magazine world, Wulf has extended his reach into literature and documentary filmmaking. He served as a consultant for the acclaimed documentary series Baseball, directed by Ken Burns. Additionally, he has appeared in various episodes of ESPN SportsCentury and the 30 for 30 series, including the documentary Silly Little Game, which explores the origins of rotisserie league baseball.
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Key Facts
- Career Span: Over 40 years of newspaper and magazine writing.
- Major Publications: The Evening Sun, Fort Lauderdale News, Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine, and ESPN The Magazine.
- Notable Conflict: His 1994 "Bag It Michael" article led to a permanent communication break with Michael Jordan.
- Media Consulting: Provided expertise for Ken Burns' Baseball series.
- Documentary Appearances: Featured in ESPN's 30 for 30 and SportsCentury.
Career and Publication Summary
| Category | Notable Works / Roles |
|---|---|
| Magazines | Sports Illustrated (Staff Writer), Time Magazine, ESPN The Magazine (Original Editor) |
| Newspapers | The Evening Sun, Fort Lauderdale News |
| Books | Parting Shots from the World of Sports, Baseball Anecdotes, I Was Right On Time, Legends of the Field, The Mighty Book Of Sports |
| Television | Baseball (Consultant), 30 for 30, SportsCentury |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Michael Jordan stop talking to Sports Illustrated?
Jordan cut off official communication with the magazine following the publication of Bill Wulf's March 1994 cover story, "Bag It Michael," which was critical of Jordan's minor-league baseball career.
Did Bill Wulf ever write a positive story about Michael Jordan's baseball skills?
Yes. Wulf visited Jordan a second time and wrote a story indicating that Jordan was showing signs of major-league potential, though Sports Illustrated did not run the piece.
What was Bill Wulf's role at ESPN The Magazine?
Wulf was one of the original editors when ESPN decided to launch its own magazine publication.
Which Ken Burns project did Bill Wulf contribute to?
Wulf served as a consultant for the documentary television series titled Baseball.
Where did Bill Wulf start his journalism career?
He began his career at The Evening Sun, a local newspaper in Norwich, New York, where he served as the sportswriter for 15 months.