Sports Columnist

The Los Angeles Times is seeking a full-time columnist to provide authoritative, insightful commentary related to 11 local pro sports teams, two major colleges, more than 200 high schools, FIFA and related 2026 World Cup participants and LA28 and related 2028 Olympics participants.

Like all sports jobs, the cadence of assignments will vary based on the time of year, with a heavier workload in the fall when all of our sports teams can overlap and the Dodgers are likely in the playoffs. The 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics will also present unique storytelling opportunities and a corresponding significant workload. The columnist will be expected to provide timely, engaging commentary consistent with the deeply informed expertise that has long differentiated The Times' sports columns. The best candidates will have the confidence to be independent in their opinions, always with the primary goal of entertaining the reader with thoughtfulness and meeting the moment as a voice for Los Angeles sports fans.

The sports columnist will be expected to weigh in on high-profile, buzzy, cultural issues of the day and offer prescient thoughts about local, national and international sports through a Southern California lens. Contributions to group projects across all platforms will be part of the columnists' assignments. Fluency in Spanish or Japanese is not mandatory, but it will enhance any candidacy.

The best candidates will be able to respond quickly and authoritatively to the deaths of major sports figures in Southern California, showing dexterity and care beyond game coverage. Candidates should have a custodial zeal for local sports history and its relevance on a national stage, celebrating the best Los Angeles has to offer in addition to holding the worst accountable for their actions.

Candidates must have the depth of experience to maintain the paper's status as a leader of sports opinion. The columnist must be prepared to work on nights and weekends during sporting events and to produce dispatches on deadline. The candidate would be expected to represent The Times at events, moderating discussions as needed, as well as on TV and radio. Comfort with public speaking and experience with podcasting and video projects are pluses.

Above all, this writer is expected to be a must-read voice for those who follow the Southern California sports scene.

Responsibilities:

• Pitch and write columns for online and print publication
• Contribute to breaking coverage of sports stories as needed
• Develop and appear in regularly scheduled video content for latimes.com and other platforms
• Serve as a public face of The Times' sports coverage, at public events, on social media and through television and radio spots
• Maintain a robust dialogue with readers who care about these topics
• Collaborate with fellow writers, editors, audience engagement staff and other reporters to achieve department and organizational goals
• The Times Sports staff is known for its pride in working for the publication, its strong work ethic, its support for each other and those who work in other Times departments, its high ethical standards and its overall drive to be the best at everything they touch. The columnist must strive to match these values

Requirements:

• A minimum of 15 years of experience focused on sports reporting or opinion writing
• An ability to respond to news and to use the platform of a columnist to engage readers in timely conversations
• Experience writing for digital audiences and an ability to frame commentary in smart, effective ways
• A commitment to accuracy and precision
• A track record for strong journalistic ethics and good judgment in questions of taste or legal considerations
• Curiosity about various forms of storytelling
• A collaborative spirit and inclusive approach in working with others

This position is listed as Columnist/Critic in the Los Angeles Times Guild. It will be based in Los Angeles and regularly will require attendance at L.A.-area games as well as team meetings at The Times' El Segundo, Calif., office. Work on weekends, nights and holidays will be required. Regular travel is expected. Columnists must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle in good working condition, with suitable auto insurance coverage.

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and applicable clips to Assistant Managing Editor for Sports Iliana Limon Romero at the apply link. In that cover letter, applicants should detail how they'd structure the role and what types of stories and projects they would pursue.

The L.A. Times is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. This Privacy Notice for Los Angeles Times sets forth how we will use the information we obtain when you apply for a position with us. Explore our company history, achievement, values, mission and more on our career site.

The pay scale the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting is $109,142 to $125,741 and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. At the L.A. Times, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role. Please visit our career site to view the benefits available to our employees. We recommend adding our applicant tracking system domain (@dayforce.com) as a safe sender or contact, sometimes these emails get filtered to candidates' spam folders.