Washington Post Managing Editor Kevin Merida will be stepping down at the end of the month after accepting a job at ESPN.
According to the Post, Merida will become an ESPN senior vice president, as well as editor-in-chief of The Undefeated, a digital site that delves into the intersection of sports, race and culture.
"I expect there is not a person in our newsroom, or in our entire organization, who is not heartbroken over this decision, even as we wish Kevin the very best in his new position and know that he will perform brilliantly," Executive Editor Marty Baron wrote in an announcement to staff. "I feel a particular loss. My first appointment after joining this amazing newsroom—about a month after my arrival—was to name Kevin managing editor. He has been a treasured colleague, partner, and friend."
Merida was named managing editor in February 2013 after a 20-year tenure covering, among other things, Congress and presidential campaigns. As managing editor, he oversaw news and feature coverage, as well as the Universal News Desk.
"Kevin is a superb newsman, with consistently sound judgment and an exquisite sense of story. He is a natural leader who provides smart and thoughtful guidance on coverage and conundrums of every type," Baron added. "He sees journalistic possibilities when the rest of us are blind to them. He is a wise and trusted counselor to legions of Post journalists—and journalists throughout the country. He played a central role in helping the Post build a talented, diverse staff. He has high expectations of everyone, especially himself. Above all, he is a man of abundant generosity and humanity."
Merida later tweeted his love and admiration for the team at the Washington Post. His last day at the Post will be Oct. 30.
https://twitter.com/meridak/status/656147538299367424https://twitter.com/meridak/status/656147112049033216https://twitter.com/meridak/status/656149487367225344
Read more at the Washington Post.