# Jim Rich

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**James Rich** (born c. 1972)[1] is an American journalist and newspaper editor. Originally known for his sports coverage with the *[New York Post](/source/New_York_Post)*, Rich has served twice as editor-in-chief of New York's *[Daily News](/source/New_York_Daily_News)*, also editing *[The Huffington Post](/source/The_Huffington_Post)* and later the sports website *[Deadspin](/source/Deadspin)* on two occasions.

## Early life and education

James Rich was raised in [Buchanan](/source/Buchanan,_New_York) in [Westchester County, New York](/source/Westchester_County,_New_York). His father worked as a mechanics foreman for the [Cortlandt](/source/Cortlandt,_New_York) Sanitation Department.[2]

He studied briefly at [Westchester Community College](/source/Westchester_Community_College) and then in Florida. He returned to Westchester to complete a communications degree.[2]

## Career

Following his degree, Rich worked at a regional weekly newspaper in [Eastchester](/source/Eastchester,_New_York). He then worked at the *New Britain Herald*.[2] In 2000, Rich began covering sports for the *[New York Post](/source/New_York_Post)*.[2][3]

### *Daily News*

In 2004, Rich began working at New York's *[Daily News](/source/Daily_News_(New_York))* as the deputy sports editor.[4] During the [NFL regular season](/source/NFL_regular_season), he wrote a weekly betting column.[5] When [Colin Myler](/source/Colin_Myler) took over as editor of the *Daily News* in 2012, Rich was promoted to executive editor and began focusing on the paper's online output.[2]

In September 2015, it was announced that Rich would be taking over as editor of the paper.[3] The *Daily News* had recently been through an aborted sale and a series of layoffs, with [Jonathan Mahler](/source/Jonathan_Mahler) describing it as a "battered symbol of the diminished state of America’s newspapers".[4] Its distribution had fallen to 234,000 on weekdays, compared to 500,000 five years before. In taking the position, Rich vowed to continue Myler's focus on creating digital media with a more national and [populist](/source/Populist) partisan approach.[2]

Beginning his editorship in October 2015, his early efforts saw the paper praised for its political front-page headlines by commentators like [Lawrence O'Donnell](/source/Lawrence_O'Donnell) and [Katrina vanden Heuvel](/source/Katrina_vanden_Heuvel). Cover images criticising [Ted Cruz](/source/Ted_Cruz), [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) and [Sarah Palin](/source/Sarah_Palin) were among those to go viral on social media. The paper's online viewership increased during this period, from 132.5 million global views in October to 149.6 million in January 2016.[2]

While at the *Daily News*, Rich oversaw a joint investigation between [Sarah Ryley](/source/Sarah_Ryley) and [ProPublica](/source/ProPublica) into decades-old laws which allowed the [NYPD](/source/NYPD) to force people from their homes and businesses without warning. The investigation saw the introduction of the [Nuisance Abatement Fairness Act](/source/Nuisance_Abatement_Fairness_Act) by the [New York City Council](/source/New_York_City_Council) and the journalists involved later received the [2017 Pulitzer Prize](/source/2017_Pulitzer_Prize) for [Public Service journalism](/source/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Public_Service).[6][7][8]

In October 2016, Rich left the *Daily News* and was replaced with [Arthur Browne](/source/Arthur_Browne_(journalist)). The decision came as a shock to those at the paper.[9] Rich had apparently been told by management to lessen the criticism of [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) presidential candidate Donald Trump in the lead up to the [2016 election](/source/2016_United_States_presidential_election) on November 8.[10] In fact, Rich had an opportunity to publish a story on Trump's tax returns, but was beaten to the punch by the NY Times.[11] Rich later defended his criticism of Trump voters and argued against those criticising the media, writing that "none of us should apologize for exposing ― in the loudest, most passionate way ― hatred, oppression and unfairness".[12]

### *The Huffington Post*

Rich later began working as editor of *[The Huffington Post](/source/The_Huffington_Post)* (later *Huffpost*).[8] He stepped down from the position in December 2017 and claimed to be starting a non-profit news site focusing on local New York news.[13][8]

### *Daily News* second editorship

In January 2018, *Daily News* owners [Tronc](/source/Tribune_Publishing) announced that Rich would be replacing Arthur Browne as editor-in-chief, following his retirement a month earlier.[8] Tronc had purchased the newspaper for $1 from [Mortimer Zuckerman](/source/Mortimer_Zuckerman) in September 2017.[14]

On July 23, 2018, Tronc announced that it would be firing Rich and more than 40 other members of staff at the *Daily News*. Rich was succeeded as editor by [Robert York](/source/Robert_York_(journalist)), who had been editor at Tronc's *[The Morning Call](/source/The_Morning_Call)*.[15] Rich appeared to criticise the decision before its announcement, writing on [Twitter](/source/Twitter): "If you hate democracy and think local governments should operate unchecked and in the dark, then today is a good day for you". The move was also criticised by New York governor [Andrew Cuomo](/source/Andrew_Cuomo), who urged the company to reconsider the layoffs.[16]

### SWNS Media Group

After leaving the *Daily News* again, Rich served as editor of the British news agency [SWNS Media Group](/source/SWNS_Media_Group).[17]

### *Deadspin*

In January 2020, [G/O Media](/source/G/O_Media) announced that Rich would take over as editor of its sports news website *[Deadspin](/source/Deadspin)*.[18] Since firing its previous editor [Barry Petchesky](/source/Barry_Petchesky) in October 2019 for publishing non-sports content,[19] the website had lost more than a dozen staff and not published any content since November.[18] Before hiring Rich, G/O Media had recently moved the website's editorial office from New York City to Chicago,[20] with 97% of the company's editorial staff supporting a vote of no confidence in CEO [Jim Spanfeller](/source/Jim_Spanfeller) following the move. Rich offered his sympathy for those who had left the website, saying "It’s not a decision you make lightly when you’re weighing your livelihood against your journalistic principles".[18]

In March 2020, *Deadspin* began publishing news articles again.[21] Rich became editorial director of G/O Media in April 2020.[22]

On July 9, 2021, Rich resigned from G/O Media due to clashes with upper management.[23] The *New York Post* suggested that he had been frustrated by editorial interference from Spanfeller and others.[24][25] The position of G/O Media editorial director was eventually filled in January 2023 by [Merrill Brown](/source/Merrill_Brown).[25]

Rich then spent time as a consultant. In February 2022, he was reported to be producing a documentary on *[Penthouse](/source/Penthouse_(magazine))* founder [Bob Guccione](/source/Bob_Guccione) with [A&E Networks](/source/A%26E_Networks).[26][27]

In July 2023, G/O Media announced that Rich would be working again as editor of *Deadspin*.[26] In March 2024, G/O Media announced that the website had been sold to [Lineup Publishing](/source/Lineup_Publishing) and its entire staff team were fired.[28]

## Personal life

Rich has been married three times. He and his third wife, *[New York Post](/source/New_York_Post)* journalist [Mary Huhn](/source/Mary_Huhn), adopted their son in 2012.[2] Huhn is the granddaughter of [Henrietta Buckler Seiberling](/source/Henrietta_Buckler_Seiberling) and great-granddaughter of [Frank Seiberling](/source/Frank_Seiberling).[29][30][31]

## References

1. ["Jim Rich to return to Daily News as editor in chief"](https://www.nydailynews.com/2018/01/29/jim-rich-to-return-to-daily-news-as-editor-in-chief/). *New York Daily News*. 2018-01-29. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

1. Pappu, Sridhar (January 26, 2016). ["How the New York Daily News Became Twitter's Tabloid"](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/01/how-the-daily-news-became-twitters-tabloid.html). *[Intelligencer](/source/New_York_(magazine))*. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Somaiya, Ravi (September 11, 2015). ["Colin Myler, Top Editor, Is Leaving Daily News"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/business/media/colin-myler-top-editor-is-leaving-daily-news.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150914051750/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/12/business/media/colin-myler-top-editor-is-leaving-daily-news.html) September 14, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Mahler, Jonathan (January 29, 2016). ["Drop Dead? Not the Newly Relevant Daily News"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/30/business/media/drop-dead-not-the-newly-relevant-daily-news.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160130075648/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/30/business/media/drop-dead-not-the-newly-relevant-daily-news.html) January 30, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. ["A Hall of a Lineup"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-a-hall-of-a-lineup/133581704/). *Daily News*. June 18, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. ["The 2017 Pulitzer Prize Winner in Public Service"](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/new-york-daily-news-and-propublica). *The Pulitzer Prizes*. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Ryley, Sarah (February 14, 2017). ["New York City Set to Pass Sweeping Nuisance Abatement Reforms"](https://www.propublica.org/article/new-york-city-set-to-pass-sweeping-nuisance-abatement-reforms). *ProPublica*. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Ember, Sydney (January 29, 2018). ["Tronc Names New Editors at The Daily News and The Los Angeles Times"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/business/media/tronc-editors-daily-news-los-angeles-times.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180129235054/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/business/media/tronc-editors-daily-news-los-angeles-times.html) January 29, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Pompeo, Joe (October 18, 2016). ["Jim Rich exits Daily News; Arthur Browne is new EIC"](https://www.politico.com/media/story/2016/10/jim-rich-exits-daily-news-arthur-browne-is-new-eic-004812/). *Politico*. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Pompeo, Joe (March 9, 2017). ["An anti-Trump tabloid pulls back"](https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/trump-new-york-daily-news-coverage-235670). *Politico*. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Baragona, Justin (January 12, 2024). ["Fox News Kicks Mike Lindell and His MyPillow Ads to the Curb"](https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-kicks-mike-lindell-and-his-mypillow-ads-to-the-curb?ref=scroll). *The Daily Beast*

1. Rich, Jim (November 16, 2016). ["Don't Blame The Media For Offending Trump Supporters... They Asked For It."](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dont-blame-the-media-for-offending-trump-supporters_b_582cd025e4b0d28e552149c0). *HuffPost*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Rich, Jim (December 14, 2017). "Some exciting personal and professional news here". No. 941361564074078208. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171214221243/https://twitter.com/therealjimrich/status/941361564074078208) December 14, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Ember, Sydney & Sorkin, Andrew Ross (September 4, 2017). ["The Daily News, a Distinctive Voice in New York, Is Sold"](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/04/business/new-york-daily-news-sale-tronc.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180129235054/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/business/media/tronc-editors-daily-news-los-angeles-times.html) January 29, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 16, 2023.

1. Peiser, Jaclyn (July 23, 2018). ["Daily News Newsroom Cut in Half by Tronc as Top Editor Is Ousted"](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/23/business/media/tronc-daily-news-layoffs.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180731001435/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/23/business/media/tronc-daily-news-layoffs.html) July 31, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. ["New York Daily News cuts half of its newsroom staff"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/24/new-york-daily-news-cuts-half-of-its-newsroom-staff). *The Guardian*. July 24, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Spangler, Todd (January 23, 2020). ["Deadspin to Relaunch Under New Editor Jim Rich, Following Mass Staff Resignation"](https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/deadspin-relaunch-editor-jim-rich-staff-resignation-1203477316/). *Variety*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Tracy, Marc (January 24, 2020). ["Editor Who Sharpened Daily News Is Picked to Revive Deadspin"](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/business/media/deadspin-editor-jim-rich.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200127153022/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/business/media/deadspin-editor-jim-rich.html) January 27, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. ["Deadspin editor fired amid uprising against 'stick to sports' order"](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/29/deadspin-stick-to-sports-barry-petchesky-fired). *The Guardian*. October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Channick, Robert (January 10, 2020). ["Deadspin moving to Chicago after New York staff walkout shut down sports website"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-deadspin-move-chicago-20200110-36rrpwaxwvfdvgi24sw2odhlza-story.html). *Chicago Tribune*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Rich, Jim (March 13, 2020). ["Good News! Deadspin Is Publishing Again. Bad News For Those Unhappy With That? None Of Us Have The Coronavirus Yet."](https://deadspin.com/good-news-deadspin-is-publishing-again-bad-news-for-t-1842302392). *Deadspin*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Tracy, Marc (July 9, 2021). ["Another top editor of the publisher of Deadspin and The Onion steps down."](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/09/business/media/jim-rich-g-o-media-deadspin.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210711001054/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/09/business/media/jim-rich-g-o-media-deadspin.html) July 11, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Siu, Antoinette (July 9, 2021). ["Deadspin, Gizmodo Editorial Chief Jim Rich Quits After Conflict With Private Equity Owners"](https://www.thewrap.com/jim-rich-quits-deadspin-gizmodo-g-o-media-following-conflict/). *TheWrap*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Kelly, Keith J. (July 9, 2021). ["Ex-Deadspin EIC Jim Rich resigns in latest turmoil at G/O Media"](https://nypost.com/2021/07/09/deadspin-eic-jim-rich-resigns-in-latest-turmoil-at-g-o-media/). *New York Post*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Spangler, Todd (January 10, 2023). ["G/O Media Taps Veteran Journalist Merrill Brown as Editorial Director Overseeing Gizmodo, Deadspin, The Onion and Other Sites (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/go-media-merrill-brown-editorial-director-1235482484/). *Variety*. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. ["Jim Rich named editor in chief of Deadspin"](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/jim-rich-named-editor-in-chief-of-deadspin,244963). *Editor and Publisher*. July 27, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Johnson, Richard (February 13, 2022). "[Untitled article]". *Daily News*. p. 14.

1. Spangler, Todd (March 11, 2024). ["Deadspin's Entire Staff Laid Off as G/O Media Sells Sports News Site to European Startup"](https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/deadspin-staff-laid-off-site-sold-1235938325/). *Variety*. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

1. ["Former Post editor's mother Mary Huhn dies at 98"](https://nypost.com/2018/10/07/former-new-york-post-editors-mother-dies-at-98/). *New York Post*. October 7, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. Wertheim, Bonnie (November 24, 2019). ["Dorothy Seiberling, Influential Arts Editor, Dies at 97"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/business/media/dorothy-seiberling-dead.html). *The New York Times*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191125180653/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/business/media/dorothy-seiberling-dead.html) November 25, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

1. ["Dorothy Seiberling, accomplished art editor from Akron, dies at 97"](https://beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2019/11/25/dorothy-seiberling-accomplished-art-editor/2210755007/). *Akron Beacon Journal*. November 25, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jim Rich](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rich) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rich?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.