One of the top employees overseeing ESPN\u2019s news division is calling it a career after three decades with the network.<\/p>\n
ESPN Vice President of News David Kraft is retiring in April, the network announced<\/a> on Thursday. Kraft assumed his current role in 2021, having served as a senior director and executive editor in ESPN\u2019s news operations since 2015. Kraft joined ESPN in 1996 as an editor for its Olympic coverage.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had a fantastic run with ESPN and am proud of what we\u2019ve accomplished \u2014 and continue to accomplish on a daily basis \u2014 as a newsroom,\u201d Kraft said in the announcement. \u201cOur journalism is in a great place and we have great people to carry it onward and upward. I very much appreciate the support I\u2019ve gotten from our leadership team since I made this decision.\u201d<\/p>\n In his role, Kraft leads ESPN\u2019s Universal News Group, a division that includes all of the company\u2019s editors in newsrooms across the country. The group \u201cprovides editorial guidance\u201d for ESPN\u2019s television networks, radio\/audio, digital, social, and ESPN app push alerts. Kraft helped spearhead the group\u2019s creation a decade ago.<\/p>\n \u201cDavid Kraft has been a highly respected leader across ESPN\u2019s editorial properties since he joined us in 1996,\u201d ESPN content president Burke Magnus said in the announcement. \u201cHe never sought the spotlight but has had a strong and important impact behind the scenes and has played a major role in carrying on ESPN\u2019s journalistic principles and practices for many years. We will miss him when he leaves us in April and wish him all the best in his retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n Kraft\u2019s retirement comes at a time when ESPN\u2019s news division appears to be assuming a less prominent role within the company. In recent\u00a0breaking-news situations, such as the\u00a0FBI\u2019s NBA gambling probe<\/a>\u00a0in November or former Michigan head coach\u00a0Sherrone Moore\u2019s arrest<\/a>\u00a0last month, ESPN has opted to keep debate programming like\u00a0First Take on the air rather than have its news apparatus take over coverage.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a reflection on what is rewarded in modern media that ESPN opted to keep its debate shows on in those circumstances rather than use the many talented people under Kraft\u2019s direction. To be sure, ESPN\u2019s news division covered those stories as one would expect<\/a> across the network\u2019s many other platforms, but not on television as they broke.<\/p>\n Regardless of a couple recent shortcomings that were almost certainly outside of his control, there\u2019s no denying Kraft\u2019s contributions to ESPN. Many of his current and former colleagues have expressed their gratitude for his work on social media.<\/p>\n An unbelievable colleague, resource, voice, mind, and journalist. He will be missed. https:\/\/t.co\/Cx9Cr5cPVh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n I could make a 30 for 30 about some of the calls I\u2019ve had with this guy over the years. Actually\u2026 I think I actually did! And because I respect and valued him so much, I tell everyone who will listen how invaluable his guidance is to all of us. We will miss you, Krafty! But\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/vETEBZM25a<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Kraftie! My first editor at ESPN, and to this day one of the best I\u2019ve had. Great bedside editing manner. Understood the job and understood how to work with people. Kudos on retirement. https:\/\/t.co\/iHzKdWIVRf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Hell of a career. Remember when https:\/\/t.co\/fTASB2ZYtL<\/a> was a red headed step child and we all worked together in the Basement of Building 4 in Bristol.<\/p>\n The \u201cview\u201d made us all work a little harder. Congrats, Krafty! https:\/\/t.co\/4hgE2iAw1X<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n What a run. The best of the best. He\u2019ll be missed at ESPN. \ud83e\udee1 https:\/\/t.co\/ExA95C7uvh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Kraft will remain in place until April to help transition the Universal News Group during his absence. No doubt, after 30 years at ESPN, Kraft leaves big shoes to fill for whoever ultimately takes his responsibilities.<\/p>\n \t