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Sports Review Magazine's History
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SRM HISTORY

Sports Review Magazine exists today in sports blog format, in what is called a "mag blog," but SRM traces its roots to 1941 as a print periodical. An enterprising newspaperman named Forrest Kable (former sports editor at the New York Times, Chicago Sun Times and Minneapolis Star) wanted to start a sports publication to rival The Sporting News, which was really the only game in town. TSN was called the "bible of sports" and really had no competitor, since Sports Illustrated was 14 years away from being founded, and Sport Magazine was still a fledgling magazine. The Sporting News was not in magazine format--it was more of an oversized newspaper--and was printed in black and white news ink which came off on the reader's hands. Plus, TSN's coverage was 90% devoted to baseball. Kable knew there was a market for a magazine that devoted attention to other sports, as well.

 

Kable began his new publication in 1941, and for the next 23 years, it did well. It never reached the popularity of The Sporting News, or SI, or Sport, but it could be found on newsstands all across the country and abroad. In 1964, Kable sold his interest to Ernest "Ernie" Schwork, a decorated Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who gained fame for his photos of WWII. Schwork became a famous celebrity photographer during the war years when Life Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post ran issues and covers with his shots. Later, his book of photos called "The Kennedys" which came out after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, became a bestseller. Schwork's friend, legendary actor/comedian Jerry Lewis gave Schwork cameos in films like 1963's "The Patsy." Unlike the TMZ-like paparazzi of today, Schwork was given deference, It was an honor for a celebrity to have Ernie Schwork come to his/her home and shoot photos.

 

Schwork changed the look of SRM, added glossier photos, and more Playboy-like interviews. The new SRM was called " a mix of Esquire and The Sporting News" by the Los Angeles Times, when it was unveiled in 1964. A terrible fire at the SRM warehouse on Figeuroa in Los Angeles in 1970 destroyed all archived magazines and photos, and all of SRM's records. Schwork was devastated, but kept SRM in publication until 1993. From 1993-2006 SRM existed in newsletter form only, and was sent to old friends of Schwork, as well as loyal former subscribers. In 2006, Schworck contacted Detroit attorney Jim Acho and advised that he'd heard Acho and Sporting News radio host Kevin Wheeler were in the market to revive one of the legendary but now-defunct sports magazines. One thing led to another, and in 2006, Acho's group purchased SRM, including the rights to all magazines, articles and photos from 1941-1993 and newsletter from 1994-2006.

 

In December 2006, SRM was introduced to the internet world as a sharp new independent sports blog. By summer 0f 2007, SRM was nearly neck and neck with the likes of Deadspin for the title of most-hit independent sports blog on the net.  In spring of 2009, former mixed martial arts writer, Greg Acho acquired the rights to SRM, and today acts as its Chief Editor and President. Sports Review Magazine looks forward to many more years of entertaining internet readers with breaking news and sharp, insightful and humorous commentary.

 

The Original Sports Review Magazine Revival Group

"Acho's Seven"

(Left to right, Michael Palmer, Jim Acho, Mike Acho, Gregory Acho, Dave Tartoni, Steve Acho, Stephen Yatooma)

Click Here To View Old Sports Review Magazine Covers