Why finding local sports reports is getting more difficult

For the quarter or two it costs to buy a daily newspaper, you'd think you'd be able to find more than just scores in the sports section.

Maybe a hard look from the hometown newspaper on a five-game suspension for a NHL player from your local professional hockey team -- instead of a lead brief on page 3.

Or maybe your local pro baseball team being followed around the country by a writer from the local paper who reports trade rumors as they happen, instead of getting dry wire copy on the game that is almost a day old by the time it arrives at your doorstep.

Even though cable TV giant ESPN seeks to cover hometown sports and push local coverage by TV stations and newspapers aside, most sports fans are unlikely to see that extended coverage or care.