Calkins Joins OutKick Following Departure from The Seattle Times
NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National multimedia sports platform OutKick announced today the signing of Matt Calkins, the former Seattle Times sports columnist. Calkins will join OutKick as a columnist, covering sports and culture, effective immediately.
Prior to joining OutKick, Calkins spent eleven years with The Seattle Times covering local college and professional sports, as well as national events including the Super Bowl and World Cup. Calkins garnered national attention after resigning from the paper in August following its decision to not publish a column he wrote about two female student-athletes who opposed competing against biological males. Previously, Calkins was a preps writer at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and a columnist at the San Diego Union Tribune. He has also been named National Sports Columnist of the Year three times.
In commenting on the announcement, FOX News Digital’s Editorial Executive Vice President Tommy Firth said, “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.”
Calkins added, “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.”
The addition of Calkins is another example of OutKick driving the conversation at the intersection of sports and culture, including the debate over biological males competing in women’s sports. OutKick has been at the forefront of this national conversation and continues to ask the questions other sports sites won’t. Most recently, OutKick was on the ground at WNBA games asking head coaches if they oppose transgender women competing in women sports after Sophie Cunningham spoke out on this issue.
OutKick also announced that Craig Carton has signed to host The Craig Carton Show and the platform has integrated as the official sports brand of FOX News Digital as well as refreshed its branding.
In August 2026, OutKick recorded its highest month of all time with 13 million total desktop and mobile unique visitors, up 19% versus the prior month and up 179% versus the prior year, 71 million total multiplatform views, up 30% versus the prior month and up 236% versus the prior year, and 72 million total multiplatform minutes, up 9% versus the prior month and 178% versus the prior year, according to Comscore.
About OutKick
OutKick is one of the fastest growing national multimedia platforms that produces and distributes engaging content at the intersection of sports and culture. OutKick’s industry recognized stable of reporters, hosts and contributors are accessible on FoxNews.com/OutKick as well as across video livestreams, social media, podcasts, and radio, reaching millions of fans each month. OutKick was originally founded by Clay Travis. For more information, please visit FoxNews.com/OutKick.
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OutKick Press Contact:
Brian Karpas
212-301-9966
brian.karpas@outkick.com
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