Dan Wolken, one of USA Today’s most prominent national sports columnists, has announced he is leaving the outlet after 13 years, marking the end of a chapter that began in the summer of 2012 with what he called a “life-changing phone call.”
In a farewell note shared Friday via his X account, Wolken reflected on the opportunity and the journey that followed. He recalled arriving at USA Today younger, less attached to things, and still figuring out who he wanted to be as a journalist. What he found, he said, exceeded his expectations.
“The ride delivered everything I could have imagined and more,” Wolken wrote. “Sure, it delivered scoops and columns and projects and awards and an opportunity to cover the biggest events in sports. But that stuff pales in comparison to the people it delivered into my life.”
Wolken admitted that condensing more than a decade of memories into a single note proved impossible. Instead, he chose to share the same message publicly that he had recently shared privately with colleagues.
“I leave proud of the work we did together and how hard we fought every day, often under less-than-ideal circumstances,” Wolken wrote. “But more than that, I leave full of gratitude for the opportunity I had to work with so many talented writers, editors and designers who made me look better than I am.”
He acknowledged that stepping away was not an easy decision. “This wasn’t just a job for me or some rung on the career ladder I was trying to climb. It represented a huge chunk of my life, and I poured everything I had into it because I understood how lucky and how rare it was to be in the position I was in,” Wolken wrote.
Still, he noted, there was always going to be a day when it felt right to move in a different direction. “That moment recently came for me,” he said.
While Wolken plans to “disappear for a little while,” he promised his voice would return. “It’s been a hell of a run, but when one ends, another begins. We’ll talk very soon.”
Over more than a decade, Wolken became a familiar byline for USA Today readers, covering major college sports, high-profile events, and broader issues in the industry with a mix of analysis, opinion, and reporting.
As he steps away, USA Today faces the challenge of filling the role of a columnist who was both a recognizable national voice and a consistent presence across multiple sports beats. Meanwhile, Wolken’s next destination remains unknown — but his farewell makes clear that the story isn’t over.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
