A great investigative piece by Deadspin’s John Koblin published late yesterday uncovered some very disturbing things about ESPN.com columnist Sarah Phillips. If the story is true, and by all accounts it seems to be, Phillips conspired to hijack the popular Facebook page NBA Memes from its owner to drive traffic to her startup site Sports Comedy Network. Koblin also alleges she borderline extorted thousands of dollars from a gambling acquaintance.

Phillips was fired by ESPN within hours of the piece’s publication.

She also tweets that she has returned proprietorship of NBA Memes to its rightful owner.

The whole story of Phillips’ deceptions is fairly complicated. Best to read the whole thing.

From John Koblin at the New York Observer:

By the end of June, The New York Times will come to a decision on how to charge for some of its content on the Web, The Observer has learned.

Executive editor Bill Keller said at a meeting with staff on Wednesday that two proposals are being strongly considered.

They’re looking at the ‘metered system’ where after a certain amount of page views you will be charged in order to read more. Many years ago, some online dictionaries tried that. Or a subscription service, according to the article. New York Times Tote Time. Woot.

We say if the NYT does get subscribers and it stops the hemorrhaging – so goes the rest of the newspapers.

What’s that quote from the Zoo Story? “Sometimes you have to go a long way out of your way in order to get home a short distance.” The NYT used to charge – it didn’t work. Layoffs. Meltdown. Layoffs. Now they are talking about charging and it’s the most brilliant idea ever and it’s just crazy enough to work. Yeesh.

Previously on FBLA Newsday and SF Chron Will Start Charging and Your Subscription Has Run Out