Jim Rich

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

Early life and education James Rich was raised in Buchanan in Westchester County, New York. His father worked as a mechanics foreman for the Cortlandt Sanitation Department.

He studied briefly at Westchester Community College and then in Florida. He returned to Westchester to complete a communications degree.

Daily News In 2004, Rich began working at New York's Daily News as the deputy sports editor. During the NFL regular season, he wrote a weekly betting column. When 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.

In October 2016, Rich left the Daily News and was replaced with Arthur Browne. The decision came as a shock to those at the paper. Rich had apparently been told by management to lessen the criticism of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the lead up to the 2016 election on November 8. 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. 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".

The Huffington Post Rich later began working as editor of The Huffington Post (later Huffpost).

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, who had been editor at Tronc's The Morning Call. Rich appeared to criticise the decision before its announcement, writing on 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, who urged the company to reconsider the layoffs.

SWNS Media Group After leaving the Daily News again, Rich served as editor of the British news agency SWNS Media Group.

Deadspin In January 2020, G/O Media announced that Rich would take over as editor of its sports news website Deadspin. Since firing its previous editor Barry Petchesky in October 2019 for publishing non-sports content, the website had lost more than a dozen staff and not published any content since November. with 97% of the company's editorial staff supporting a vote of no confidence in CEO 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". Rich became editorial director of G/O Media in April 2020.

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

In July 2023, G/O Media announced that Rich would be working again as editor of Deadspin.

Personal life Rich has been married three times. He and his third wife, New York Post journalist Mary Huhn, adopted their son in 2012.