The Athletic Lays Off 46 Employees, Implements Pay Cuts
By Kyle Koster
The Athletic is laying off 46 employees, which amounts to eight percent of its staff and implementing pay cuts company-wide, Axios was the first report. In a memo to staff, CEO Alex Mather said that the unfortunate reductions were a last resort after seeking to cut spending in other areas. Back in March, The Big Lead reported that the company had frozen all freelance contributions. Most remaining employees will take a 10 percent pay cut while some top earners will see their salary reduced by 20 percent.
Affected staffers have begun to announce their departure on Twitter. Here is a running list:
I’m one of today’s layoffs at The Athletic. I’m really sad, because this is the best job I’ve ever had. I have endless respect and love for my colleagues and will continue to support their terrific work. Thanks to all who read. You helped make a Phoenix kid’s dream come true.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) June 5, 2020
I was one of the 46 laid off today at The Athletic. I feel for everyone losing a job at this time. It sucks but we all will bounce back, as always. stay strong!
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) June 5, 2020
If anyone is in the market for a sports writer, video editor, podcaster, social media manager, hit my line. DM's open
Got my final day offboarding invite from The Athletic just now. Checked my stats this morning: Wrote 206,814 words in just under a year. Glad I tried writing full-time. So it goes.
— Rafe Bartholomew (@Rafeboogs) June 5, 2020
Hey everyone. I was one of the 46 employees laid off by The Athletic today. It's surreal, but I've been lucky never facing this before. It was a wonderful experience, and have no regrets.
— Dave Southorn (@davesouthorn) June 5, 2020
My DMs are open, my email is dksouthorn@gmail.com.
More than anything, thank you BSU fans.
Today was my last day at The Athletic. It was a great ride. I worked with some truly outstanding colleagues and I’m grateful for the opportunity. We’ll see what the future holds.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) June 5, 2020
A year ago I received an email out of nowhere to join an amazing team covering MMA for @TheAthletic. It was a lifeline, truly. Today that journey ended for me. I'm grateful for the experience working with A+ colleagues and friends. The world moves on. So do I. Stay safe everyone.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) June 5, 2020
The Athletic has become a canary in an increasingly dark coal mine of sports media. With strong VC money and an All-Star cast of writers and editors, it relies on a subscription model that many journalists view as a potential life preserver in the future. It's self-professed lofty goals have been sidetracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We'll update below as more of the layoffs are announced:
I'm among the 46 employees laid off by @TheAthletic. I'm grateful to work at a great company, one that is criticial for sports journalism. Also was proud to help launch the Indiana vertical.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 5, 2020
Thanks to my editor @jeff_maillet, podcast producer @sashashall and to you for reading.
I’m one of the unfortunate many to say this, but today was my final day with @TheAthleticBUF.
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) June 5, 2020
I am sad, I am extremely disappointed, but I am not defeated. I am forever thankful to have had the opportunity to write there and tell stories. I love you, Buffalo.
I got laid off today from a job I loved.
— Dann Stupp (@DannStupp) June 5, 2020
I produced work, including this week's MMA Fighter Survey series, that I'm immensely proud of. I also worked with the best damn team of MMA writers ever assembled.
Some of those writers also got laid off. You'd be wise to hire them.
Hey yinz guys. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm on that list of 46 layoffs at The Athletic. Was an honor to get back on the college basketball beat and be a part of an absolutely incredible team. All thanks to @KellenbergerCBB and @MarkGodich for the opportunity ...
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) June 5, 2020
Today was my last day at The Athletic as well. I echo everything Dustin says below. These last eight months were incredible and I wouldn't trade my time on this team for anything.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 5, 2020
If you know anyone who needs a sportswriter, I'm available for hire and my DMs are open. https://t.co/h63lOuJ1RO
I got laid off by The Athletic today. Looking forward to getting the YouTube channel back up and running, I really miss making videos anyway and things should work out. Here's my Patreon if you wanna support the work I've done and will be doing. Go Lakers. https://t.co/Mht81RDCy0
— Laker Film Room (@LakerFilmRoom) June 5, 2020
Hey gang, I too got laid off by The Athletic today as part of its reduction in total staff. I'm sad that it ended this way but the year I spent working with @DannStupp, @NandaPrates_, @yay_yee, @ChuckMindenhall, @shaunalshatti & @benfowlkesMMA was the best of my career.
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) June 5, 2020
I've read tweets like this too many times over the years and I have to say, constructing my own isn't all that much fun. But the axe has come down. I enjoyed my time at The Athletic, and covering MMA for the last dozen. Mostly, I've enjoyed writing for you! Thanks for reading.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) June 5, 2020
This morning The Athletic announced layoffs of 46 staffers. I’m one of them. For two years, I got to be a part of the best sports writing team in America. I got to cover the Lakers. I’m deeply sorry that it’s ending, but it has been one of the great experiences of my life.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) June 5, 2020
I was one of the 46 employees laid off by The Athletic today. I've loved working here the past year -- it was my dream job -- and I'm sad to be leaving. Thank you so much to everyone who read and supported and to the amazing Arkansas fans who welcomed me in a year ago.
— Kelli Stacy (@Kelli_Stacy_) June 5, 2020
I've had an extremely fortuitous career path. Unfortunately, my time with The Athletic is up. Couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunity covering one of the most iconic college football programs.
— Kaelen Jones (@kaelenjones) June 5, 2020
I owe thanks to a lot of folks. Much love to y'all. We'll see what's next.
The Athletic laid off 46 people today. I was one of them.
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) June 5, 2020
Covering Auburn football for a place like The Athletic was truly a dream job. I was fortunate to ever be in this position. I have countless people to thank, and I will do so throughout the rest of the day.
Love y’all.
Thanks to @TheAthletic for three great years. I was among today’s round of layoffs. I wish my former colleagues nothing but the best. And a special thanks to @amather @TheAuthletic and @ByJasonLloyd for the opportunity.
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) June 5, 2020
Some unfortunate news to share: I was one of 46 laid off by @TheAthletic today, due to COVID-19 impact on sports. Dream job covering Titans and Preds last couple years. Couldn't have asked for a better experience, so I'm thankful for that. Looking forward to the next step.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) June 5, 2020
I was informed that this will be my final day at The Athletic due to economic constraints resulting from the covid-19 pandemic. I’ve had an absolute blast covering the Atlanta Falcons. I want to thank every person who subscribed to read my work over the past two years.
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) June 5, 2020