• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 1, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Slowdown At The Athletic Continues With Halt of WNBA Freelance Writers

  • Decision part of a wider move to cut back on nearly 100% of freelance contributors.
  • But journalism expert bemoans ‘beacon of hope’ cutting back on WNBA coverage.
Mar 8, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) defends during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletic temporarily paused the contributions of half a dozen freelance writers covering the WNBA, after laying off other staff earlier this week. The move is part of a wider strategy to cut back on nearly all freelance contributors at the digital subscription site, which has scooped up hundreds of sports journalists from struggling newspapers over the past four years while raising more than $100 million in venture capital money.

“As sports are temporarily on pause due to the global pandemic, we have had to make tough decisions across the board, cutting back on nearly 100% of our freelance contributors,” Taylor Patterson, a spokeswoman for The Athletic, said in a statement. “Each one of our WNBA freelancers was contacted directly to let them know of our decision to pause.”

The Athletic announced a new vertical devoted to the WNBA a year ago, with New York-based staff editor Hannah Withiam overseeing coverage. The group included a beat writer for each of the league’s twelve teams, plus two national writers. The Athletic has published nearly 650 WNBA stories, including 30 in the last month, according to Patterson.

The WNBA season was set to tip off its 2020 season on May 15, but the longest-running women’s pro league made the call to postpone its start on April 3. The freelancers were hoping the positive reaction to the WNBA “virtual draft” on April 17 would keep them working, but it was not to be. The WNBA vertical will continue, Patterson said. “We look forward to bringing more of this incredible work to our subscribers.”

In another move this week, The Athletic laid off the members of a programming team that sent push alerts for top stories to readers. The company made the call to move on from its U.S. programming teams after “much” discussion and analysis, said Patterson: “We thank the team for their work at The Athletic.”

The rate of new subscribers is down 25% since March, and the company has not yet hit 1 million subscribers, according to the Washington Post. The company has previously stated it hoped to hit that figure by the end of 2019. The company’s executives also were “noncommittal” on additional layoffs and furloughs, the Post reported.

Sportswriter Britni de la Cretaz first reported the news about The Athletic temporarily freezing WNBA freelancers. The Big Lead reported in March that The Athletic would “temporarily pause the contributions of freelance reporters whose work depends on the coverage of live games.”

“I’m just sitting here, twiddling my thumbs. I get that it was a business decision. But to me, the way they handled it was really disrespectful,” one of the affected freelancers said after requesting anonymity on the hope work might resume. “Everything we got was either from another source or word of mouth. Nothing was confirmed to us by the company – until we took it to them. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

The Athletic is certainly not alone in cutting costs during the coronavirus pandemic. Media outlets from Sports Illustrated to Vox Media have been laying off or furloughing workers. Big media companies such as Disney, Fox, and NBC are either cutting executive pay or asking their top on-air talent to absorb temporary pay cuts.

Before the coronavirus pandemic brought sports to a screeching halt, The Athletic had raised $139.5 million, according to Sara Fischer of Axios, and was valued at more than $500 million.

Still, it’s sad to see a “beacon of hope” like The Athletic cutting back, according to Emil Steiner, coordinator of Rowan University’s Sports Communication and Media Program.

“I’d say it’s certainly problematic when any news organization is laying off workers. The Athletic has been a beacon of hope for sports journalism in recent years, so if it’s starting to dim its lights, that’s concerning,” said Steiner.

On the other hand, he noted The Athletic’s subscription-only model makes it less vulnerable than media companies that depend on advertising revenue.

“In January, The Athletic got another round of funding, but maybe the board’s hoarding cash to control valuation and ride out the storm,” Steiner said. “Looking forward, it’s all about how long the Great Lockdown lasts, and whether there’s another wave.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
Candace Parker

Candace Parker Not a WNBA Owner Yet, but Her Business Is Booming

Her WNBA peers say she made the blueprint for earning off the court.
Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.
May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Mark Cuban on Why NBA Expansion Isn’t Imminent

Cuban said the next CBA could help solve some expansion issues.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.

Lee Corso’s Farewell Delivers Record ‘College GameDay’ Viewership

ESPN averaged 3.5 million viewers, per preliminary figures.
Tom Brady
August 27, 2025

NFL Continues to Loosen Tom Brady Restrictions

Brady will be able to attend production meetings–remotely–this season.
August 28, 2025

NFL Preseason Sees 17% Jump in TV Ratings, Best Since 2018

Average audiences for the exhibition games increase sharply from last year.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
ESPN
August 27, 2025

Disney Sues Sling TV Over $5 Day Passes Granting ESPN Access

Newly introduced short-term subscriptions spark a legal challenge.
August 27, 2025

FCC Chair Joins Fox–YouTube TV Fight With Big Game on the Line

The Trump appointee is now involved in another media carriage fight.
Aug 24, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tommy Fleetwood holds the FedExCup Trophy on the 18th green after winning the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
August 26, 2025

PGA Tour TV Ratings: Fleetwood’s Breakthrough Caps Playoff Surge

Sunday’s final round drew nearly 4.5 million viewers on NBC.
August 26, 2025

NFL Sunday Ticket Debuts Monthly Plan—but at a Steep Cost

Previously, fans had to purchase the service for the entire season.