Days After $10,000,000,000 ESPN Layoffs, 171-Year-Old Legacy Media Follows Suit With Definitive Measure

For the past few days, $10 billion worth of ESPN has been subjected to heavy criticism. The reason? Well, because the company is undergoing a massive layoff leading to the exit of many notable figures from the network. Even ex-NFL star Keyshawn Johnson was amongst the many who were a part of the exodus of NFL and NBA analysts from ESPN. Despite signing a lucrative 5-year contract worth $18 million last year, he and his co-host Max Kellerman of the morning radio show were cut off from the workforce of the network. And this has led to speculations that he could be taking over Shannon Sharpe’s position beside Skip Bayless at FS1’s UNDISPUTED.

In a new series of events, another 171-year-old media house is following the footstep of ESPN’s layoff campaign. And this decision by the century-old media house will effect 35 people in the company. 

New York Times is making a critical decision like ESPN

The New York Times sports department has been one of the most acclaimed in the country for its relentless coverage. It has had many Pulitzer-winning writers over the years, including Arthur Daley in 1956, Walter Wellesley Smith in 1976 for commentary, and Dave Anderson in 1981 for commentary. And now, the media house seems to be making a massive decision, that will bring in a drastic effect for one of its most acclaimed departments.

Recently, the New York Times has decided to disband its sports department, which includes over 35 writers covering various sports. With no layoffs being planned after the disbandment, it has been stated that the sports journalists of the media house will be given other roles within the newsroom. This means that current sports writers of the New York Times, such as Ken Belson, Emmanuel Morgan, and others who are widely known for their NFL coverage, will transition into covering other themes for the New York Times. 

Read more: Was a Loss of $462,000,000 the Reason Behind the Firing of Stephen A. Smith’s Millionaire NBA Colleagues?

While the news certainly comes as a shock, one might be pondering on the reason behind this critical decision. 

Why is the sports department being disbanded?

Last year, the New York Times acquired The Athletic for $550 million. It was part of its strategy to expand its paying audience at a time when traditional media is fading with digitization. The media house has been actively spreading out its branches and coverage while expanding with lifestyle, games, and recipe coverages. According to a statement they released, sports coverage will now be a part of their acquisition of The Athletic, with the approximately 150 stories that The Athletic “produces each day, chronicling leagues, teams, and players across the United States and around the globe.”

With a new strategy in place, it will be interesting to see whether their decision to disband their sports department bears fruit in the coming days ahead.

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