Washington Post lays off one-third of staff, eliminating sports and foreign bureaus
The newspaper shut down its sports section, several international bureaus, and books coverage Wednesday in sweeping cuts affecting all departments.
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The Washington Post laid off approximately one-third of its staff Wednesday, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus, and books coverage in widespread cuts that affected virtually every department in the newsroom.
Executive Editor Matt Murray announced the layoffs in a company-wide online meeting, telling staff members the move was necessary to put the outlet on stronger financial footing and adapt to changes in technology and user habits. "We can't be everything to everyone," Murray said in a note to staff members. "For too long, we've operated with a structure that's too rooted in the days when we were a quasi-monopoly local newspaper. We need a new way forward and a sounder foundation."
The cuts eliminated more than 300 journalist positions and included the closure of the sports section, elimination of the books section, and cancellation of the daily Post Reports podcast. The reorganization also affected the Metro desk, which covers Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, as well as international, editing, and sports desks. Several foreign bureaus were shuttered as part of the restructuring.
Among the journalists affected was Amazon beat reporter Caroline O'Donovan and the Cairo Bureau Chief, according to sources familiar with the layoffs. Staff members began receiving emails Wednesday with subject lines indicating whether their roles had been eliminated.
Rumors of layoffs had circulated for weeks after word leaked that sports reporters expected to travel to Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics would not be going. The announcement came just days after the newspaper scaled back its coverage of the Winter Olympics amid mounting financial losses.
Murray outlined the changes as part of what he called "a broad strategic reset with significant personnel cuts." The Post's human resources chief Wayne Connell invited employees to remain home for the day but required participation in the Zoom meeting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.
One Post reporter, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the layoffs as a "bloodbath." The cuts represent a significant reduction in the reach and scope of the newspaper, which has been owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos since 2013.