Courtesy: Derek Futterman, Barrett Sports Media Sports ESPN Signs Several Ex-Washington Post Sports Reporters "The hires follow a major restructuring inside The Washington Post that led to the closure of the newspaper’s longtime standalone sports section." By: BSM Staff Date: March 9, 2026 ESPN continues to reshape its editorial lineup with the addition of several veteran journalists formerly employed by The Washington Post , capitalizing on a wave of layoffs that significantly altered one of the nation’s most recognizable sports departments. Front Office Sports was first to report that ESPN hired former Post sportswriters Chuck Culpepper, Ben Strauss, Kent Babb, Robert Klemko, Tom Schad, and Kareem Copeland. - Advertisement - Each journalist became available after the newspaper eliminated a large portion of its sports staff during sweeping newsroom layoffs announced last month. “Adding these six outstanding journalists and the reputation of The Washington Post will enhance an ESPN team that is already the best in the business,” said Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman. “We are proud to advance our robust commitment to journalism, which is core to our mission of serving sports fans. Today’s news strengthens our position as the place to turn for the latest and most in-depth sports news, reporting and feature stories across every platform.” Culpepper built a reputation as a national college sports writer known for deep narrative features and commentary tied to major events across the college football and basketball landscapes. Babb focused heavily on sports features, often profiling high-profile figures such as LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Strauss covered the sports media industry during his time at the Post, providing reporting and analysis on television networks, digital media trends and the business side of sports coverage. Copeland spent eight years with the newspaper covering several beats, including extensive reporting on women’s college basketball and Olympic-related sports. The hires follow a major restructuring inside The Washington Post that led to the closure of the newspaper’s longtime standalone sports section. The cuts reportedly affected roughly half of the newsroom and included nearly all members of the paper’s approximately 45-person sports staff. Overall, the layoffs impacted more than 300 journalists across the publication according to the New York Times . For decades, The Washington Post maintained one of the most influential sports departments in American journalism, producing nationally recognized columnists, beat reporters and feature writers who helped shape coverage of professional and collegiate athletics. The recent changes dramatically altered that legacy and left many experienced reporters seeking new opportunities across the industry. Once official, ESPN will join several media organizations have already moved to bring in former Post talent. Other organizations have responded to the shifting media landscape as well. The Baltimore Banner recently announced plans to expand its sports coverage into the Washington, D.C. market, aiming to fill the gap created by the Post’s reduced sports footprint. Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky - Advertisement - BSM Staff Tags barrett media Barrett Sports Media Ben Strauss Chuck Culpepper ESPN Front Office Sports Kareem Copeland Kent Babb Sports Media News sports radio Sports Television The Washington Post Previous article 100.1 KZST Tabs Stacey K and Jonah to Replace Debbie Abrams in Morning Drive Next article Former MSNBC President Rashida Jones Named CEO of Piers Morgan’s Media Company Share Facebook X Linkedin ReddIt Email Copy URL Popular Drew Brees Joins SiriusXM Let’s Go Program For 2026 NFL Season iHeartMedia, Premiere Networks Inks Clay Travis to Contract Extension, New Sport & State Podcast Network 100.3 The Bull/Houston Debuts New Houston Morning Show NewsNation Unveils 9/11 Coverage Plans As 25th Anniversary Nears Prime Video Becomes Streaming Home For Six NHL Teams Beginning Next Season
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: barrettmedia.com