In a major win for sports journalism and D.C. fans, a celebrated group of Washington Post reporters has officially landed at a new powerhouse outlet. The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, announced Thursday it has hired six prominent journalists who were part of the sweeping layoffs that dismantled the Post's storied sports desk earlier this year.
A New Chapter for Capital Coverage
This strategic hiring spree represents a significant investment in Washington-area sports. The move directly addresses the void left when the Post, under cost-cutting measures, eliminated its standalone sports section. For readers, it means the trusted voices they followed for years on beats from the Nationals to the Commanders are not only returning but are being empowered on a national platform dedicated to in-depth sports reporting.
The Athletic framed the hires as a major expansion of its D.C. footprint. "We're excited to announce the hiring of several Washington Post journalists as The Athletic expands its coverage of the Commanders, launches a new Nationals beat and adds to its growing roster of tennis, opinion and investigative reporters," the publication stated. "With these moves, we intend to provide fans in Washington with unparalleled coverage of the teams and sports they love."
The All-Star Roster Making the Move
The talent acquisition is headlined by Barry Svrluga, a fixture in D.C. sports media for over two decades and a seven-time D.C. Sportswriter of the Year. At The Athletic, Svrluga will serve as a Commanders reporter while also providing perspective on the capital's biggest sports stories. His deep institutional knowledge, including authoring two books on the Nationals and covering a dozen consecutive Olympic Games, brings immediate authority to the outlet's D.C. coverage.
He is joined by a formidable team of former Post colleagues. Candace Buckner will bring her sharp analysis as a national columnist. Spencer Nusbaum is set to helm the new Nationals beat, ensuring the baseball team receives dedicated, day-to-day scrutiny. Ava Wallace will cover tennis and other sports, while Adam Kilgore will bolster The Athletic's investigative reporting unit. Jason Murray rounds out the group, joining in an editorial capacity.
Context: From Layoffs to a Landing Spot
The backdrop to this story is the dramatic restructuring at The Washington Post. Earlier this year, the newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos executed deep cuts, with the sports department bearing the brunt of the layoffs. The decision to effectively outsource daily game coverage sent shockwaves through the industry and left many veteran journalists seeking new opportunities.
For The Athletic, this move is a clear talent grab, snapping up experienced reporters with established sources and deep community ties. It signals a commitment to being the primary destination for serious sports fans in key markets, using the resources of The New York Times to build out localized, premium coverage. For the journalists involved, it's a chance to continue their impactful work without missing a beat, now backed by a digital-native sports giant.
The transition is a reminder of the evolving media landscape, where traditional newspaper sports sections are contracting while subscriber-focused outlets like The Athletic are aggressively expanding their bench strength. For Washington sports enthusiasts, the outcome is decidedly positive: a dream team of reporters has been reassembled under one roof, promising the kind of nuanced, persistent coverage that championship-level journalism requires.
As one chapter closes at the Post, an exciting new one begins at The Athletic. The message to fans is clear: your favorite storytellers are back, and they're just getting started.
