Petition · Fire Panthers/ESPN reporter David Newton - Change.org
Fire Panthers/ESPN reporter David Newton
www.change.orgHere’s what I can share based on recent reporting:
-
ESPN Panthers beat reporter David Newton announced his retirement in May 2026, ending a 20-year run with ESPN and a total 45-year career in sports journalism. He plans to relocate to Asheville to pursue a new project in visual art and gallery work. [system-reported coverage indicates retirement with a move to Asheville and gallery plans][1]
-
The retirement news was highlighted by Awful Announcing, which described Newton’s career arc from local papers to ESPN’s Panthers coverage, including milestones like covering the Panthers from expansion to Super Bowl contention. The piece also notes a past controversial moment and Newton’s subsequent apology.[1]
-
Public commentary from colleagues and public figures on social media congratulated Newton on his career and retirement. Notably, Scott Fowler publicly wished him well, and ESPN colleagues cited his 20-year tenure with the network.[3]
-
Additional context from industry bios confirms Newton’s long association with ESPN as the Panthers reporter since 2013 and his earlier work with ESPN’s NASCAR coverage before that. This aligns with the timeline of a 45-year journalism career ending in 2026.[6]
If you’d like, I can:
- Summarize his career highlights in a concise timeline.
- Look for quotes from Newton about his retirement or his plans for the Asheville art project.
- Compile a quick comparison of how ESPN Panther coverage changed around the time Newton joined ESPN in 2013.
Would you like a short timeline or a brief set of quotes?