Journalists working for The Athletic demanded that The New York Times recognize their efforts to join the newsroom’s union — setting up another labor battle with management. The Times disbanded its long-heralded sports department in September 2023 and replaced it with coverage from The Athletic,

It’s unclear whether the Times, which shuttered its own sports desk after buying the Athletic, will fight the journalists’ effort to join the bargaining unit.

Organizers at the sports publication sent a letter to NYT publisher A.G. Sulzberger calling for voluntary recognition

The Athletic is asking New York Times management to recognize their editorial staff as part of The Times Guild.