The owner of the Los Angeles Times on saving the newspaper
Kevin Merida, executive editor of the Los Angeles Times, announced Tuesday that he is stepping down after less than three years in office.
“Today, it is with a heavy heart that I announce that I am leaving the Times,” Merida wrote to staff on Tuesday. “I made the decision in consultation with Patrick after thinking carefully about my career at this stage and how I can best benefit the profession I love.”
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together during my tenure here and thank Patrick Soon-Shiong and his family for the opportunity to help transform The Times into a modern, innovative news media company for a new generation of consumers “, he continued.
“We have made tremendous progress toward this goal and I am confident that progress will continue,” Merida said.
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Kevin Merida attends the Garden Brunch hosted by Tammy Haddad in advance of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner on April 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Merida joined the newspaper, owned by Patrick and Michele Soon-Shiong, in June 2021.
The 67-year-old previously led an ESPN team focused on race, culture and sports, but spent most of his career at The Washington Post.
The Times won three Pulitzer Prizes under Merida's leadership.
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His departure came as the newspaper also faced difficulties, such as failing to meet its goal of attracting digital subscribers.
“Our commitment to the LA Times and its mission has not wavered since the beginning of our acquisition,” Soon-Shiong wrote in a note to employees. “However, given the ongoing challenges we face, it is now imperative that we all work together to build a sustainable business that enables the growth and innovation of the LA Times and LA Times Studios to achieve our vision.”
Kevin Merida speaks onstage at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California on April 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (David Livingston/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the LA Times Guild, the paper's union, wished Merida well, calling him “a smart and thoughtful leader under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
“Kevin Merida was a smart and thoughtful leader under exceptionally difficult circumstances. We wish him all the best in his resignation,” the union said.
“As members of the LA Times Guild Unit Council, we are committed to supporting Dr. “To help Soon-Shiong and Ms. Chan find a successor – someone who can bring vision and clarity to the Times in the coming months and years,” they said.
Soon-Shiong said he and newsroom executives would look for candidates inside and outside the company to replace Merida.
(LR) Kevin Merida and Donna Britt attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Rich Fury/VF22/Getty Images for Vanity Fair / Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Times did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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Portal contributed to this report.