Multiple layoffs have been reported this week at the Daily News claiming a number of longtime, veteran journalists, in the range of 40 to 50 employees company-wide. This news comes less than one week after the report that editor in chief Colin Myler would resign, and a month after publisher Mortimer B. Zuckerman called off efforts to sell the financially troubled paper.
The deepest cuts came from the sports department, where longtime columnists Filip Bondy and Bill Madden were given pink slips, in addition to veteran sports reporters Wayne Coffey, Hank Gola and Roger Rubin, as well as newer sports reporters like Stephen Lorenzo. In addition, managing editor for sports Teri Thompson, one of the only top female sports editors in the country, was also laid off. Early reports said veteran sports/news columnist Mike Lupica may have been out the door as well, but more recent reports say his contract negotiations are ongoing.
Elsewhere in the newsroom, surprising cuts were made, claiming longtime Daily Newsers like TV critic David Hinckley and music critic Jim Farber, both decades-long veterans of the paper. Additionally, metro assignment editor Jill Coffey, deputy political editor Ellen Tumposky, and editorial writer/board member Bill Hammond were let go. Notable newcomers like senior features writer Justin Rocket Silverman, senior Washington correspondent Dan Friedman and metro reporter Eli Rosenberg also said farewell to their Daily News colleagues this week.
So the bad news is, after 25 years I'm out at the Daily News. The good news? I will never have to cover the MTV… http://t.co/KqJMCBNnsA
— Jim Farber (@JimFarberMusic) September 18, 2015
Sad to report that today is my last day with the Daily News. It's been a great 10 years and I work with great people.
— Bill Hammond (@NYDNHammond) September 16, 2015
Got whacked by the NY Daily News after 30 years. Deeply touched by the outpouring. Don't look for my story in The Players' Tribune.
— Wayne Coffey (@wr_coffey) September 17, 2015
Want to thank my Daily News colleagues for their extraordinary "exit velo" they showed to me in the newsroom today, truly overwhelmed.
— Bill Madden (@BillMaddenNYDN) September 18, 2015
After 22 yrs at the NYDN, I have been let go. Will survive but will dearly miss my pals. And I was off to such a hot start with my picks.
— Hank Gola (@NYDNHankGola) September 16, 2015
Just got laid off from a job for the first time since I was 17 years old. That's a pretty good run…
— Filip Bondy (@filipbondy) September 16, 2015
Glad my final story as a staffer at the NY Daily News is about such an awesomely inspiring film. http://t.co/pqvkI0M4hK
— Justin R Silverman (@justinrocket) September 17, 2015
Axed today at the Daily News. Will miss great politics team, special hugs to @jfermino @erinmdurkin @klnynews @gblainnydn. Onward & upward.
— Ellen Tumposky (@ellentumposky) September 16, 2015
@dailynewser is no longer @ the Daily News. I was let go today. Will miss the great people there. And now for a new handle …
— Jill Coffey (@JillCoffeyNYC) September 16, 2015
I love the people I worked with at .@NYDNSports and I'm thankful that they gave me my first shot. On to the next one.
— Stephen (@StephenCLorenzo) September 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/emrosenberg/status/644515172900569088
