Deadspin faced mass resignations from its staff after a clash with the website’s new parent company, G/O Media.
Writers and editors for the site walked out on their jobs Wednesday after the company instructed them to “stick to sports” and to refrain from covering topics not related to sports, a break with Deadspin’s history of covering politics and culture.
A representative for the company said they are “sorry that they couldn’t work within this incredibly broad coverage mandate. We’re excited about Deadspin’s future and we’ll have some important updates in the coming days.”
G/O spokesperson on Deadspin resignations: “They resigned and we’re sorry that they couldn’t work within this incredibly broad coverage mandate. We’re excited about Deadspin’s future and we’ll have some important updates in the coming days.”
— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) October 30, 2019
The resignations followed the firing of Deadspin’s deputy editor for refusing to comply with the sports content mandate a day prior.
Several of the now-former staff members shared their resignation statements on Twitter:
Just now I resigned my position at Deadspin today along with many of my colleagues. I have been here only five months but they have been some of the best of my career and I will miss it deeply.
— kelsey mckinney (@mckinneykelsey) October 30, 2019
I will also be leaving Deadspin. It was the best four years of my life, and I will miss my pack of wild dogs dearly.
— patrick (@redford) October 30, 2019
I quit today too https://t.co/W7meIcW0Cx
— Laura Wagner (@laurawags) October 30, 2019
