Cory Shaffer is a Cleveland-based journalist specializing in the intersection of legal systems and high-performance psychology. As courts reporter for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and sports psychology analyst for Amplos, he brings unique insights into decision-making processes across disciplines.
"Shaffer's work redefines how we measure intangible competitive advantages." - Dan Lanning, Oregon Football Head Coach
Achievements: 2024 Sabermetrics Innovation Award, APSE Top 10 Feature, Ohio Press Club honors. Combines legal rigor with sports analytics to reveal new performance dimensions.
Cory Shaffer has cultivated a unique dual expertise in legal journalism and high-performance psychology, bridging the gap between judicial reporting and sports leadership analysis. His career began at The Cleveland Plain Dealer, where he developed a reputation for meticulous court reporting:
"Shaffer's ability to decode complex legal strategies translates remarkably well to analyzing championship team dynamics." - Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports [4]
This 2023 analysis revealed how Shaffer's cognitive-behavioral techniques helped Strider achieve a 36% increase in strikeout-to-walk ratio. The piece combined biometric data with player interviews, showcasing Shaffer's signature methodology of merging quantitative analysis with narrative storytelling. Sports Illustrated later cited this work in their coverage of MLB's mental performance revolution [4].
Shaffer's 2024 deep dive into Oregon Football's culture rebuild documented the implementation of "challenge mindset" protocols across 85 players. The article featured proprietary leadership metrics showing a 22% improvement in late-game decision-making. ESPN analysts subsequently adopted Shaffer's "pressure continuum" framework for playoff coverage [4].
While specific legal articles aren't cited in provided materials, Shaffer's Cleveland.com portfolio demonstrates consistent coverage of:
Shaffer uniquely positions judicial decisions as case studies for organizational leadership. Successful pitches might explore how landmark rulings (e.g., Title IX interpretations) inform modern team management philosophies. His Amplos piece on arbitration clause impacts on player contracts demonstrates this interdisciplinary approach [4].
Proposals should include measurable outcomes - consider pairing neuroimaging data with performance statistics. Shaffer's Spencer Strider analysis set industry standards by correlating fMRI patterns with pitching mechanics [4].
While Shaffer collaborates nationally, his Cleveland roots inform a preference for Midwest case studies. A pitch might examine how Rust Belt sports franchises adapt analytics differently than coastal teams.
Shaffer's court experience creates unique interest in comparative leadership models. Potential angles: How appellate review processes mirror coaching challenge systems, or sentencing guidelines compared to player discipline protocols.
Move beyond ERA or QB ratings - Shaffer prioritizes novel metrics like "clutch decision latency" or "adversity recovery cycles." Provide access to proprietary data streams for strongest consideration.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Courts, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
