ESPN announced it has hired six journalists who previously worked at The Washington Post, which cut more than 300 jobs in early February, including a significant portion of its sports and international coverage.
The reporters include corporate reporter Kent Babb. Basketball writer Kareen Copeland. Investigative reporter Robert Klemko. Sportswriter Chuck Culpepper. Washington Commanders reporter Tom Shadd. and sports business reporter Ben Strauss. Some of this group had been removed from newspapers during recent layoffs. Mr. Klemko was responsible for criminal justice on the bureau’s national desk.
“The addition of these six outstanding journalists and the reputation of The Washington Post will strengthen what is already the best ESPN team in the industry,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “We’re proud to advance our strong commitment to journalism, which is at the core of our mission to serve sports fans. Today’s news strengthens our position as the place to get the latest and most in-depth sports news, reports and features on every platform.”
Journalists will join units specializing in investigative, corporate and digital journalism.
ESPN is one of several companies that are adding staff in response to the Post’s cost-cutting decisions. The Baltimore Banner, a digital journalism outlet covering Maryland’s largest city, has also expressed interest in expanding into sports coverage in Washington, D.C.
Babb will write about all sports for ESPN. Copeland will be based in the Midwest and will cover women’s college basketball and the WNBA. Culpepper can cover a wide range of sports and events. Klemko will focus on sports-related crimes, investigations and major scandals. Shad will be a general assignment reporter at ESPN, focusing on corporate, quick turn, investigative and data journalism. Strauss will focus on ESPN’s sports business operations and investigative reporting.
Their work appears across ESPN’s platforms, including ESPN.com, the ESPN app, “SportsCenter,” ESPN Audio Podcasts and additional ESPN programming.
