More changes are coming to The Athletic.
But while The New York Times-owned outlet has seen a slew of exits in recent months, these moves are coming on its own accord.
Taking to X on Monday, Fred Katz revealed that he’s moving from the New York Knicks beat to a senior NBA writer position for The Athletic. Meanwhile, James Edwards III will fill the void left by Katz on the Knicks beat after previously covering the Detroit Pistons.
“Some news: I have written my final article as a Knicks beat writer,” Katz wrote. “Starting today, I become a Senior NBA writer for The Athletic, focusing on national stories around the league. Knicks fans will be excited to know the great @JLEdwardsIII is taking over the Knicks beat for us.”
Some news: I have written my final article as a Knicks beat writer. Starting today, I become a Senior NBA writer for The Athletic, focusing on national stories around the league. Knicks fans will be excited to know the great @JLEdwardsIII is taking over the Knicks beat for us.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) September 16, 2024
Added Edwards: “FYI: The Athletic still plans on covering the Pistons. Stay tuned for more updates there.”
Life update: After seven seasons covering the Pistons, I’m going to transition to cover the New York Knicks for The Athletic. FYI: The Athletic still plans on covering the Pistons. Stay tuned for more updates there.
Quick thread:
— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) September 16, 2024
It will be interesting to see how — or even if — The Athletic makes good on Edwards’ pledge that it will continue covering the Pistons. Following the Times‘ purchase of the outlet in 2022, it’s been impossible not to notice that The Athletic has de-emphasized the thorough local coverage that used to be its calling card in favor of a more national approach.
Take for instance the Cleveland Cavaliers’ beat, which was initially one of the outlet’s biggest selling points following the launch of its Cleveland vertical in 2017. But despite previously employing multiple Cavs-focused writers when LeBron James played for the franchise, The Athletic hasn’t had a dedicated beat writer for the team since going through a round of layoffs in June 2023.
The Athletic’s most recent story about the Cavs was posted on July 25. The top story on their Cavs page is currently a nearly month-old story about a LeBron James high school jersey getting sold. https://t.co/87DMpsBI9P
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) September 16, 2024
If those are the type of resources The Athletic is devoting — or not devoting — to a perennial playoff team like the Cavs, it’s fair to wonder what approach the outlet will be taking to a league cellar dweller like the Pistons.
If nothing else, the fact The Athletic is even making this move seemingly signals its national-centric focus, as it already possessed an impressive roster of national writers before promoting Katz. Now a talented writer and reporter in Edwards is moving from the Pistons to the more high profile Knicks beat and it remains to be seen how he’ll be replaced in Detroit.
Obviously, The Athletic is a business it presumably has data to justify such moves with regard to its bottom line. Still, it’s interesting to see an outlet that once sold itself as replacing the local paper taking such an obvious national approach as it continues to strive for profitability under Times ownership.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.