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Media · Subscription Journalism

The Athletic

The subscription sports newsroom of The New York Times — hundreds of dedicated beat journalists across U.S. and global sport.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
CountryUnited States
TypeSubscription news site
Founded2016
OwnerThe New York Times Company (2022)

What is The Athletic?

The Athletic is a subscription sports journalism outlet founded in 2016 and acquired by The New York Times Company in 2022, employing hundreds of reporters on dedicated team and sport beats across North America and Europe.[1][2]

What does The Athletic cover?

Deep beat reporting, investigations and analysis across the major U.S. leagues, global soccer, college sports and the Olympic sports, ad-light and subscriber-funded.[1]

What are The Athletic's reach and standing?

Millions of subscribers via The New York Times bundle, with its bylines among the most respected in sports journalism.[2]

Since when does The Athletic exist?

Founded in San Francisco in 2016; part of The New York Times Company since 2022.[2]

Why does The Athletic matter?

As the sports arm of the Times, The Athletic pairs national circulation with prestige-press standing — feature coverage there is major-media recognition by any standard.[1][2]

References

  1. The Athletic — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. The New York Times Company. Accessed August 2026.