This could be a major change to the sports journalism scene.
Washington Post sports staff addresses layoff rumors as part of viral #SaveThePost trend on social media originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Post is rumored to have looming layoffs that will make a major dent in one of the country's preeminent newspapers.
According to long-time Post reporter Paul Farhi, up to half of the newsroom "will be cut imminently."
The biggest cuts are expected to be to the foreign reporters and the sports desk.
According to a report from Puck's Dylan Byers, the "sports desk could be shuttered entirely."
From a sports perspective, it could be a major blow to a publication that has often struck the ideal blend of covering local sports news in combination with the biggest national sports stories.
The Washington Post has featured some of the country's biggest newspaper names as part of its sports staff.
Thomas Boswell was a legend writing about baseball.
Tony Korhheiser covered the Washington Redskins' run to the Super Bowl long before his ESPN fame.
Michael Wilbon wrote at the Post, too.
Christine Brennan was the first woman on the Redskins beat.
John Feinstein was writing "A Season on the Brink" at the same time he was writing for WaPo.
Sally Jenkins became a highly appreciated columnist in her time with the Washington Post.
Still, the paper has a sports staff blending national news along with dynamic coverage of the DMV area.
It's not clear, if the sports staff is gutted entirely or at least partially, what would happen next.
It's not the same as the New York Times shutting down its sports desk while knowing it had already purchased The Athletic and could fill its pages with that coverage.
Current sports reports at the paper have chimed in on social media, too.
Andrew Golden, who covers the Nationals, shared this:
He keeps every story I write in boxes in his home. He calls me to ask if I know when my stories make it on the front page of the sports section.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) January 26, 2026
It’s an honor to be part of the @PostSports team. Always have felt that way but especially today. pic.twitter.com/ZHHYDcSK42
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This is what his colleague, Spencer Nusbaum, shared:
If nothing else, I’ve always hoped our work in the Washington Post’s sports section could give readers a meaningful connection to (and understanding of) something bigger than themselves.
— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) January 26, 2026
I’ve seen today: It has. Forever grateful to be a part of this team. #SaveThePost
The Washington Post still employs brilliant sports writers like Kent Babb, Adam Kilgore, Chuck Culpepper, Candace Buckner, Jesse Dougherty, Kareem Copeland, Will Hobson and Sam Fortier, too.
This thread from editor Tom Schad displays some of their best recent work:
Just wanted to take a minute, for no particular reason whatsoever, and celebrate some of the brilliant work that my @PostSports colleagues have done in recent weeks.
— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) January 26, 2026
These stories take time and resources. They're also what make The Post so great. All gift links/free to read...
If the Washington Post's sports desk is cut considerably or altogether, it'll be a big loss to the sports community.
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Category: General Sports
