Mike Lupica Reportedly Out in New York Daily News Cuts [UPDATE]
Mike Lupica was “unable to come to terms on a new contract” with the New York Daily News, according to a report from Politico New York. The news is both extremely shocking, and isn’t. We’ve seen one seemingly untouchable print superstar after another get swept out in budgetary cuts over the past decade. So, it’s hardly surprising when there’s another one, especially with all the stories about how the Daily News is just bleeding cash.
Interpersonally, Lupica has his fair share of detractors. And, he just lost his New York radio show. But, he’s been the de facto face of the Daily News sports section since the 1970’s. It’s impossible to imagine the paper without him. The Politico report, which says sports editor Teri Thompson is also out, says Lupica “commanded one of the newsroom’s top salaries,” which is unsurprising given his tenure and amount of readers he engaged.
[UPDATES: New York Daily News writers are starting to announce on social media that they’ve been let go. It sounds like a bloodbath.]
Just got laid off from a job for the first time since I was 17 years old. That's a pretty good run...
— Filip Bondy (@filipbondy) September 16, 2015
After 22 yrs at the NYDN, I have been let go. Will survive but will dearly miss my pals. And I was off to such a hot start with my picks.
— Hank Gola (@XNYDNHankGola) September 16, 2015
Sad to report that today is my last day with the Daily News. It's been a great 10 years and I work with great people.
— Bill Hammond (@NYHammond) September 16, 2015
The New York Post says columnist Bill Madden is gone, too.
Got whacked by the NY Daily News after 30 years. Deeply touched by the outpouring. Don't look for my story in The Players' Tribune.
— Wayne Coffey (@wr_coffey) September 17, 2015
Roger Rubin has also been let go.