Washington Post eliminates sports department and reduces overseas journalists, AP source says

Published: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 2:40 pm

Washington Post Undergoes Major Restructuring, Eliminates Sports Department

The Washington Post is undergoing significant restructuring, including the elimination of its sports department and a reduction in its overseas journalist presence. These changes were announced to staff on Wednesday by Executive Editor Matt Murray during a Zoom meeting. The meeting revealed that staff members would receive emails informing them whether their roles had been eliminated.

While the exact number of layoffs was not disclosed during the call, the newspaper's books department will be closed, and the Washington-area news department and editing staff will be restructured. Murray acknowledged that these cuts would be a shock to the system.

The impending changes had been anticipated for several weeks. The Post initially informed its sports staff, who had planned to cover the Winter Olympics in Italy, that they would not be attending. Following public outcry, the newspaper reversed its decision and announced it would send a limited staff.

These developments come as the Post's competitor, The New York Times, has experienced significant growth in recent years, attributed to investments in ancillary products. The Times has doubled its staff over the past decade.

In recent weeks, some Post staff members have reportedly appealed directly to the newspaper's owner, Jeff Bezos. The newspaper has faced challenges, including a decline in subscribers, which some attribute to decisions made by Bezos, such as withdrawing an endorsement of Kamala Harris and directing a more conservative shift on the opinion pages.

BNN's Perspective: The Washington Post's restructuring reflects the evolving landscape of the media industry. While the elimination of departments and staff reductions are concerning, the need for adaptation and strategic investment is crucial for survival. The Post's challenges highlight the complexities of navigating political sensitivities and the importance of diversifying revenue streams in a competitive market.

Keywords: Washington Post, layoffs, restructuring, sports department, overseas journalists, Matt Murray, Jeff Bezos, subscriber decline, media industry, The New York Times, newsroom, editorial staff.

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