New York Times Buyouts Push Veteran Writers Out

The New York Times has been the subject of buyouts, and the motion has pushed several veteran writers out.

Jim Roberts, Joe Sexton, and Jon Landman all joined The New York Times in 1987 and held some of the highest positions. They are among the group of New York Times veteran journalists leaving due to the buyouts.

The Huffington Post reported Thursday that Sexton, known for his editing on the sports and metro sections, is leaving for non-profit ProPublica. Roberts, a member of management, announced his resignation hours later on Twitter. Landman was the Times‘ culture editor until he accepted a buyout earlier this month. These were just the first of several veteran New York Times personnel leaving the long-standing news giant.

Former editor Landman said:

“The time had come. There is a time when the opportunities come together. The buyouts are there and they give a little kick in the [***] and you ask, ‘Is there anything else I want do at the Times?’ No, I’ve done 5 million things. Let’s go.”

“Sports of the Times” columnist George Vecsey gave regular readers a surprise in his Saturday column when he announced a change in his schedule, according to the New York Observer:

“it is time to step back … and write for the paper occasionally.”

The New York Times‘ veterans were mourned and the staffers honored through a series of tributes internally circulated at the Times. The tributes to these veterans are touching and sometimes insightful.

After 26 years at the New York Times, it’s time for @nytjim to move on and find a new handle. 1/4

— Jim Roberts (@nytjim) January 24, 2013

There comes a time in everybody’s life when they just feel the need to move on, and this month a lot of them felt it with the buyouts at The New York Times.