Longtime The Associated Press national college football writer Ralph Russo announced Monday that he was leaving to take on a similar role with The Athletic.
Russo announced the move on X.
“News about me: Yesterday was my last working for The Associated Press,” Russo posted on X. “It has been an honor to call AP home for 29 of the last 31 years. I was fortunate to work with great people and great journalist. I was privileged to receive amazing opportunities, including my dream job. Being the national college football writer for the AP changed my life. The AP has given me more than I could have possibly given back, starting first and foremost with the late, great Terry Taylor. Thank you, TRT.
News about me: Yesterday was my last working for The Associated Press.
It has been an honor to call AP home for 29 of the last 31 years. I was fortunate to work with great people and great journalist. I was privileged to receive amazing opportunities, including my dream job. 1/?— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) September 30, 2024
“What’s next: I’m changing companies but not changing jobs. And while it’s weird leaving AP behind, I could not be more excited about my next step. Today I joined The Athletic as a national college football writer. I’m so thankful that The Athletic has given me this opportunity. I will do my best to validate their faith in me and continue to provide coverage of the sport I am obsessed with that is of the highest quality and standard.”
What’s next: I’m changing companies but not changing jobs. And I while it’s weird leaving AP behind, I could not be more excited about my next step.
Today I joined The Athletic as a national college football writer.— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) September 30, 2024
A few minutes after completing his announcement, Russo’s first piece for The Athletic arrived, a story on the Big Ten and SEC’s meeting to discuss scheduling arrangements.
Russo has been with The Associated Press since 2004. He also spent two years with the Denver Post.
The longtime college sports writer’s arrival at The Athletic comes at a time when the New York Times-owned sports outlet recently hemorrhaged talent, including Ari Wasserman and Tim Kawikami. Russo’s hiring does seem to fit with their move away from regional and market-specific coverage and more towards beefing up their national coverage.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.