OutKick has landed veteran sports columnist Matt Calkins. The former Seattle Times writer joins the platform effective immediately, covering sports and culture.
What We Know: Calkins spent 11 years at The Seattle Times, covering local college and pro teams plus events like the Super Bowl and World Cup. He resigned in August after the paper declined to run his column on two female student athletes who did not want to compete against biological males. Before Seattle, he wrote for the Riverside Press-Enterprise and the San Diego Union-Tribune. He’s a three-time National Sports Columnist of the Year.
What They Said: FOX News Digital’s Editorial Executive Vice President Tommy Firth: “Authenticity and common sense are at the heart of what we do at OutKick and are qualities FOX News Digital looks for when hiring new talent. Calkins clearly embodies both, and he will be a great addition to our team.”
Matt Calkins: “While my decision to leave The Seattle Times wasn’t easy, I’m beyond excited to start this new chapter at OutKick. I’ve always admired OutKick’s coverage and its willingness to never shy away from any topic.”
What Remains Unclear: OutKick hasn’t detailed Calkins’ specific beat or column schedule going forward. Exact terms of Calkins’ agreement are unknown.
What It Means: The hire reinforces OutKick’s push into sports-and-culture debates. Calkins hire follows OutKick recently launching The Craig Carton Show and becoming FOX News Digital’s official sports brand. Together, these moves signal an aggressive expansion at the very early stages of the fall sports calendar.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
