Feinstein’s written with Bruce Edwards, covered Tom Watson; Wilbon’s written with Barkley, then covered him; there are others, too.

It’s not so much a conflict of interest as it is a way to milk the cash cow. You’re going to get closer, sure, but you’re not necessarily going to let that closeness blind you to faults, and I would guess Forde, as good a writer and as strong a journalist as he is, isn’t going to make that mistake. (I hope. I don’t want to lose another good one.)

re: Wilbon/Barkley. Was Barkley retired when the book was written? Or was he in Houston. I don’t recall. Feinstein is sort of a different animal – he writes what, a college sports column for the Washington Post twice a month? I don’t think he’s a regular columnist there.

The NFL Network’s Adam Schefter co-wrote a book with Mike Shanahan:

http://tinyurl.com/3rj3u7

Yet that hasn’t stopped him from writing and reporting on the NFL, including yesterday when he did a story on Shanahan.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2008/10/01/shanahan-al-like-lane-better/

awesome find. I have been trying to get an email for Schefter for months. This will make a splendid question.