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The Washington Post is making some big changes, and sports fans might want to brace themselves. The paper announced Wednesday it’s axing its entire sports department as part of a sweeping layoff impacting one-third of its total staff.
While some sports reporters will be reassigned to other beats within the venerable publication, the move signifies a major shift. Currently, Post reporters are on the ground covering Super Bowl LX in California and the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, adding a layer of irony to the timing.
Speculation about these cutbacks has been circulating for weeks. Rumors first surfaced when sports staffers who had planned to cover the Olympics were told their trips were off. After the news went public, the Post partially reversed course, stating it would send a limited team.
Executive editor Matt Murray delivered the news during a videoconference with staff on Wednesday. The exact number of layoffs was not disclosed during the call, and the Post declined to reveal its current staffing figures.
“The Washington Post is taking a number of difficult but decisive actions today for our future, in what amounts to a significant restructuring across the company,” a Post spokesperson stated. “These steps are designed to strengthen our footing and sharpen our focus on delivering the distinctive journalism that sets The Post apart and, most importantly, engages our customers.”