The Athletic was acquired by The New York Times Company in 2022, bringing its sports journalism under NYT's corporate umbrella. This ownership change affects terms, bundling options, and data practices. The subscription provides deep local sports coverage, but terms include typical auto-renewal traps, and bundling with NYT products creates complexity around what you're actually paying for.
As a NYT subsidiary, The Athletic's terms reference NYT's broader corporate policies. Arbitration clauses and dispute resolution follow NYT's standard practices.
The Athletic is included in some NYT bundles but not others. Understanding whether you need a standalone subscription or can access it through an existing NYT subscription requires careful attention.
While The Athletic covers many markets, coverage depth varies by location. Some cities have extensive local coverage; others have minimal dedicated reporters.
Aggressive promotional pricing ($1/month introductory offers) jumps to standard rates after the trial. Easy to forget about the subscription and pay full price unexpectedly.
Despite being a sports subscription, The Athletic doesn't include live game streaming or broadcasts. It's analysis and journalism only—a distinction that may not be clear to some subscribers.
Personal use only terms prohibit sharing credentials with others. Like NYT, household sharing has limitations.
The Athletic maintains an ad-free subscription model, distinguishing it from ad-supported sports news alternatives.
Subscription includes access to podcasts and audio content without additional fees, adding value beyond written articles.
If you already subscribe to NYT All Access, The Athletic may be included or discounted, potentially providing better value than standalone.