Miami Herald cuts veteran reporter covering Lionel Messi and Inter Miami

The Miami Herald laid off 30 employees on Thursday, including veteran sports reporter Michelle Kaufman. Kaufman had served as the primary journalist covering Lionel Messi and Inter Miami since the player joined the club in 2023. Her departure follows a trend of limited media access to the star, as Inter Miami has frequently bypassed league mandates regarding locker room availability and traditional press interaction. While Kaufman secured exclusive interviews and broke news on team acquisitions, the lack of consistent access to Messi likely devalued the reporting role in the eyes of company leadership. It remains unclear how the publication will maintain coverage of the team moving forward. The downsizing reflects broader industry shifts within McClatchy, the parent company of the Miami Herald.

• 4:12 AMYahoo Sports — Miami Herald Laying Off Messi, MLS Reporter Highlights Access Problem