Founded in 2016 by Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann, The Athletic emerged as a fresh approach to sports journalism. The idea sparked when Mather and Hansmann, both former Strava employees, recognized a gap in the market for high-quality, in-depth sports coverage without ads or clickbait. They aimed to create a subscription-based model that would support thorough, thoughtful sports reporting. In January 2022, The New York Times Company acquired The Athletic for $550 million, making it the current owner. Today, The Athletic is primarily focused on sports news and analysis. They cover a wide range of sports including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more. Based in San Francisco, California, The Athletic has expanded its coverage to include teams and leagues across North America and Europe. They've made a name for themselves among sports enthusiasts looking for detailed, analytical coverage of their favorite teams and athletes. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of The Athletic is its rapid growth and expansion strategy. In just a few years, they acquired and integrated several popular team-specific blogs and websites, quickly building a network of experienced local sportswriters and expanding their coverage across multiple sports and regions.