Matt Calkins has resigned from The Seattle Times after 11 years as a sports columnist, saying his decision followed the newspaper’s refusal to publish a column he wrote about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Calkins announced his departure on Thursday, August 20, saying the decision was entirely his own but was not an easy one. He said the unpublished column was one of several pieces of his that had been rejected and that he no longer felt he could properly perform his role as a columnist.
Why Did Seattle Times Sports Columnist Matt Calkins Quit?
According to Calkins, the immediate issue involved a column based on conversations he had with female student-athletes who opposed competing against transgender athletes.
Calkins said he gathered material at a rally connected to Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham before a July WNBA game between the Seattle Storm and Indiana Fever. He said he spoke with participants who described their experiences in competitive sports and their concerns about transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.
Calkins said his planned column argued that supporting separate competition based on biological sex should not automatically be interpreted as hostility toward transgender people.
The newspaper’s decision not to publish the column ultimately contributed to his decision to resign.
Matt Calkins Says Multiple Columns Were Rejected
Calkins described the situation as more than a disagreement over one article.
In his announcement, he said the transgender-athlete column was among several pieces of his work that had been “spiked.” He said the repeated experience eventually made him feel that he could no longer properly do his job as a columnist.
The Seattle Times declined to comment on Calkins’ resignation when contacted about the matter, saying it does not comment on personnel matters.
Sophie Cunningham Connection
Sophie Cunningham became a central figure in the story because of her public position on transgender participation in women’s sports.
The Indiana Fever guard has received significant attention for supporting efforts in some states to restrict transgender athletes’ participation in youth sports. Her views have contributed to a broader debate over gender policies and competitive fairness in athletics.
Calkins’ conversations at a rally supporting Cunningham eventually became the foundation for the column that was not published.
WNBA at the Center of a Broader Debate
The controversy surrounding Calkins comes at a time when transgender participation in sports has become an increasingly prominent issue across the United States.
The WNBA has also been pulled into the wider discussion, with questions about eligibility, fairness and participation generating debate among players, coaches, commentators and fans.
The league has reportedly planned to establish a task force to examine potential transgender-athlete participation, adding another dimension to the ongoing conversation.
Matt Calkins Receives New Job Offer
Calkins’ resignation quickly gained national attention, and a potential career opportunity followed.
OutKick founder Clay Travis publicly offered Calkins a possible position with Sport & State, a sports and culture platform focused on live programming, podcasts and discussions involving sports and modern culture.
The public offer highlighted how quickly Calkins’ departure from The Seattle Times developed into a national media story.
Calkins Says He Has No Animosity Toward Seattle Times Staff
Although Calkins left the newspaper after 11 years, he made clear that his resignation was not motivated by personal hostility toward his former colleagues.
He said he had “no animosity toward anyone” working at The Seattle Times.
His public explanation instead centered on editorial disagreements and his belief that he could no longer write the columns he wanted to produce.
What Happens Next for Matt Calkins?
Calkins’ resignation closes an 11-year chapter at The Seattle Times, but the attention surrounding his departure could open new opportunities.
With a public job offer already on the table and significant interest in the circumstances surrounding his resignation, Calkins could continue his career through independent media, sports commentary or another publication.
His departure has also sparked a broader discussion about editorial independence, sports journalism and the growing intersection of athletics with cultural and political debates.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Calkins resigned from The Seattle Times after 11 years as a sports columnist.
- He said the decision followed the rejection of his column about transgender athletes in women’s sports.
- The column was partly based on conversations at a rally connected to Sophie Cunningham.
- Calkins said the rejected column was one of several pieces of his work that had been spiked.
- The Seattle Times declined to comment on personnel matters.
- Calkins said he has no animosity toward his former colleagues.
- OutKick founder Clay Travis subsequently publicly offered Calkins a potential job opportunity.
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