• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 10, 2025
exclusive
Tech

Fitness Company WHOOP Slashes Workforce By 15%

  • Company says ‘the current macro environment has created new challenges and uncertainty.’
  • Cuts impacted every department at WHOOP, which was valued at $3.6 billion nearly a year ago.
Design: Alex Brooks

Wearable technology company WHOOP launched a round of layoffs Thursday that led to the elimination of 15% of its workforce. 

The company’s high-tech fitness tracker has been embraced by world-class athletes like LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Michael Phelps, and a partnership with the PGA Tour. WHOOP had a valuation of $3.6 billion after its last funding round was completed nearly a year ago.

“The current macro environment has created new challenges and uncertainty, and we are committed to building a durable business that is able to withstand whatever economic climate we find ourselves in,” WHOOP said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “A reduction like this is never easy and we sought to ground this process in both empathy and compassion.

“The company is deeply appreciative of the contributions from these talented individuals.”

Before the cuts, WHOOP had more than 630 employees.

Multiple WHOOP employees took to social media channels to announce they had been laid off. The company said the cuts “impacted employees across all departments and all levels.”

Ben Foster, WHOOP’s Chief Product Officer, changed his job description to “gainfully unemployed” on LinkedIn.

“While a decision like this is never ‘easy,’ it was definitely ‘right,’ and one I endorsed despite its personal impact,” Foster wrote. “Many growth stage companies who relied on endless streams of venture capital must immediately downshift to manage burn and extend their runway.” 

“The WHOOP brand, product, and business remain incredibly strong, but this is a move that protects it against dangerous market conditions,” he added. “Following this reduction, the company is now in a far stronger position to realize its fullest potential. I hope others also affected will take solace in this inconvenient truth.”

In a company statement, WHOOP stated “all impacted employees were given the opportunity to participate in private, individual meetings over the course of the day.” WHOOP added that the impacted employees were given “a competitive separation package and have reduced barriers for those employees with stock options to become shareholders if they choose.”

And a laid-off copywriter noted: “Sadly, today marks my last day at WHOOP. Layoffs are never easy, but sometimes it’s the push we need even if we may not see it at the time.”

Founded in 2012 by Will Ahmed, a former Harvard University student-athlete, the Boston-based company has raised $404.8 million in funding, according to Crunchbase. Investors include SoftBank, Thursday Ventures, and Animal Capital.

The WHOOP layoffs follow a trend of cuts among companies over fears of a potential recession. Tech, real estate and digital asset firms have been among the hardest hit with cuts. 

Virtual fitness company Tonal, for example, laid off 35% of its workforce earlier this month.

While the cuts are jarring, WHOOP said it is “experiencing record-levels of engagement in our app this year and has more members than ever before.”

“We are as committed as ever to delivering the best membership experience and innovating on the most advanced health monitoring technology,” WHOOP said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of layoffs at Tonal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Amazon Adding Dell Curry to NBA Coverage Team

The 16-year NBA veteran has been a Hornets color commentator.
exclusive

Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead of NFL Season

Changes are coming at Fox, but Andrews and Thompson stay put.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
exclusive

Bipartisan Effort Mounts to Repeal Gambling Tax Hike in Trump Bill

The president signed the bill into law last week.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Tennis

Wimbledon’s Rollout of Automated Line Judges Has Been Rocky

The electronic system briefly went down Sunday, leading to a controversial replay.
Curry
May 9, 2025

Brady, Curry, Ohtani Get Most Claims Dropped in FTX Endorser Suit

The judge did call the endorsers “uninformed, negligent, or even reckless.”
May 23, 2025

Paul Skenes Blockbuster Trade Buzz Is Building. Will the Pirates Cash In?

Trade talk reflects the pitcher’s big surplus value and the Pirates’ struggles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Sponsored

How NFL Next Gen Stats and AWS are Modernizing NFL Scouting Combine..

In an era where data is king, evaluating football’s next great talents demands a more sophisticated approach.
July 18, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A Secret Service agent watches over Donald Trump during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum. The final day of the RNC featured a keynote address by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
October 29, 2024

Trump, Harris, and Biden Can Be Tracked Through Secret Service Strava Users

A French newspaper discovered the movements of world leaders through their security.
Jul 12, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Lorenzo Musetti of Italy returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day 12 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
October 9, 2024

Wimbledon Turns to AI After 147 Years of Tennis Line Judges

The French Open is now the lone tennis major without electronic line calling.
NFL-Sunday_Ticket
September 3, 2024

Plaintiffs Appeal After $4.7 Billion NFL Sunday Ticket Verdict Tossed

The move was expected after a judge threw out a landmark verdict.