The Athletic Enters 2026 as Leading Voice in Sports Journalism

The Athletic’s Continued Success Story

As 2026 begins, The Athletic reported 5.83 million subscribers had access to the platform, either directly or through bundle subscriptions, marking a significant milestone for the subscription-based sports media outlet owned by The New York Times Company. The Athletic became profitable for the first time in its history in the third quarter of 2024, representing a remarkable turnaround for the platform that once struggled financially.

A New Chapter in Sports Media Coverage

The Athletic’s importance in modern sports journalism cannot be overstated. With an award-winning newsroom of more than 400 sports journalists, the platform has established itself as a premier destination for in-depth sports coverage, analysis, and exclusive content. In the second quarter of 2025, The Athletic recorded revenue of £54.0 million and a profit of £5.8 million, its fourth consecutive profitable quarter, demonstrating sustainable business success.

Longtime sports media writer Richard Deitsch revealed he is leaving The Athletic at the end of the year after seven years at the outlet, marking the end of an era but also the beginning of new opportunities for the platform to evolve its coverage.

The Road Ahead

Founded as an independent subscription-based platform in 2016, The Athletic has revolutionised sports journalism by proving that readers will pay for quality content without advertisements. The Athletic was acquired by The New York Times in February 2022, providing the stability and resources needed for continued growth. Starting with the third quarter of 2025, The New York Times Company no longer breaks out The Athletic’s financial data in its quarterly reports, suggesting full integration into the broader organisation.

For sports fans and industry observers, The Athletic’s success story represents a validation of premium digital journalism. As 2026 unfolds with major sporting events including the Winter Olympics, World Baseball Classic, and World Cup, The Athletic’s comprehensive coverage will continue to serve millions of subscribers seeking expert analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s top sports journalists.