More than 30 sports journalists’ jobs are set to go at Reach plc in a restructure that heralds the end of sports teams on individual regional titles.

The UK’s biggest regional publisher has announced plans to create a single ‘vertical’ sports hub that will service all its regional and national brands.

It will mean a reduction in the number of sports content editors from 27 to 16 while some sports writer roles are also under threat.

The National Union of Journalists claims more than 100 roles have been placed at risk of redundancy although the actual number of jobs to be lost is estimated to be between 30-50, with up to 11 additonal roles in the new sports hub to be created.

Staff were told of the changes in briefings yesterday before later receiving an email from head of sport Jake Murtagh which has been seen by HoldtheFrontPage.

Wrote Jake, pictured: “Today, we’ve announced plans for our new sport structure, which will mean changing the way we work.

“The aim is to better serve our existing audiences in print and digital through a streamlined model, and reach new ones across multiple platforms, to set us up for a successful future.

“The changes will mean removing existing duplication from the current set up, while continuing to provide the quality journalism we want our brands to be famous for.

“We’ll continue to have dedicated writers to cover our most popular football clubs, as well as for a range of specialist sports including tennis, golf, and F1, delivering content across our portfolio.

“As a result of these changes, unfortunately some people in sport have been placed at risk of redundancy. Please be mindful and supportive of colleagues as we move through this consultation process, which is expected to last a minimum of 30 days.”

According to the NUJ, the number of dedicated correspondents covering Liverpool, Manchester United, and London football clubs will be halved, while three writers covering Midland clubs and two on Welsh sport are at risk.

Sports teams in Scotland and Ireland are not affected by the proposed changes.

NUJ general secretary Laura Davison said: “The NUJ is deeply concerned by the impact these cuts will have on staff workload and morale. Either fewer staff will be expected to do more work, or Reach is seeking to use AI to fill the resulting gap.

“The replication of content across Reach’s titles will mean less localised coverage and less media diversity. Ultimately, this results in a poorer product.

“The distinction between different Reach titles will blur with replicated articles less tailored to readers’ interests. An AI mimic would be no substitute for skilled journalists.

“Reach is a profitable company – and this is down to journalists’ hard work. Instead of cutting jobs, Reach should invest in its staff and quality journalism.”

The Reach NUJ Group Chapel said in a statement: “Our members are dismayed by the company’s announcement of planned sweeping redundancies among its sport journalists. These talented teams provide an incredible service to the public in their sports coverage and production in print and digital and among the National and regional titles in England and Wales.

“Final details are yet to be provided to the union, but we understand that more than 100 individuals have been put at risk of losing their jobs with the aim of cutting around 50 roles.

“The outline rationale provided by the company is to create a new structure that brings regional and nationals’ operations together to ‘optimise performance’. We think that may be at the expense of local knowledge and diversity of content.

“The elephant now in the room is what role does AI have in the company’s thinking that such a pared down structure may be possible? This is something very much on our agenda to determine.”

Reach chief digital publisher David Higgerson said: “We are changing the structure of our sports teams to reduce duplication and work more efficiently, while ensuring dedicated resources to deliver exclusive content, rooted in the communities we serve.

“For example we will continue to have dedicated writers covering our most popular football clubs, as well as for a range of specialist sports including tennis, golf, and F1, delivering content across our portfolio.”