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| Mike Lupica |
A source close to the paper confirmed to CNNMoney that Lupica is among those affected by the latest series of layoffs at the New York Daily News, the money-losing tabloid that faces an increasingly nebulous future. The source said that Lupica's departure was the result of a "contractual issue."
The Daily News has been seeking to cut costs, and Lupica was one of the highest-paid names at the paper.
A spokesperson for the Daily News declined to comment, but a number of others -- possibly dozens, according to the source -- were also laid off on Wednesday.
His long career in sports media began at the age of 23, when he covered the New York Knicks for the New York Post. Lupica joined the Daily News in 1977, and has since become one one of the most famous sportswriters in the country.
He has also been a near-constant presence on ESPN, where he's appeared as a regular on the Sunday morning program "The Sports Reporters" for years. Lupica had also hosted a radio show on ESPN New York, but the company announced last month that his program would be replaced.
"We do not discuss personnel issues," said a spokesperson for the News.
The cuts come just days after the News announced that Colin Myler, its editor in chief of more than three years, is leaving to move back to his native London. His executive editor, Jim Rich, is set to replace him at the end of the year.
News owner Mort Zuckerman had recently attempted a sale of the paper, which is said to lose between $20 million and $30 million a year. He took it off the market after failing to attract any serious bids during the six months the News and its Jersey City printing plant were on the block.
While the News has seen a significant increase in its digital audience in recent years, that hasn't been enough to counter a precipitous print circulation slide. As with all newspapers, advertising remains challenged as well.
As a result, the News has been no stranger to staff reductions.
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