The Cuban journalist Jorge Ebro announced on Saturday that he is leaving El Nuevo Herald after dedicating 25 years to the publication. He shared this news via a post on his Facebook account.
“After a quarter-century, my journey with El Nuevo Herald has come to an end. It has been a significant part of my life, spending 25 years telling stories, meeting incredible people, and traveling to various stadiums, gyms, and cities,” Ebro wrote.
Born in Matanzas and a graduate of the University of Havana, Ebro moved to the United States in 2000 and joined El Nuevo Herald in 2001. Over his tenure, he specialized in combat sports — including boxing and mixed martial arts — as well as baseball, and contributed to ESPN Radio. He covered renowned athletes like Yordenis Ugás, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Luis Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Tyson Fury.
A New Chapter Begins
Despite the farewell tone, Ebro was clear that he is not leaving journalism behind. “I don't want to do less journalism because I'm stepping away from a major outlet. Quite the opposite. I want to do more and better journalism, with greater freedom, closer to you, and with the same commitment to follow the story wherever it leads,” he asserted.
In his farewell message, Ebro also revealed his next professional venture: a digital project called "Serebro en los Deportes."
His new platform, available at SerebroEnlosDeportes.com, has previously existed as a podcast with activity on Apple Podcasts and Spotify since 2024, focusing on boxing, MMA, and UFC. Now, it will serve as his primary base of operations, encouraging readers to subscribe and engage in an independent sports journalism community.
“I leave grateful for everything I have experienced, but also with a hunger for all the stories that remain to be told. This is not a goodbye. It’s merely the beginning of another story,” he concluded.
Impact of Mass Layoffs
Ebro's departure comes amidst a wave of layoffs executed by McClatchy — the parent company of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald — in mid-September, when the company eliminated 32 positions across both newsrooms: 28 direct layoffs and four frozen positions. According to The New York Times and AP, The Miami Herald lost over 30 journalists, roughly a third of its editorial staff, while El Nuevo Herald's newsroom was nearly dismantled.
The Cuban sports expert isn't the only veteran affected. Journalist Daniel Shoer Roth, who served 27 years at El Nuevo Herald and The Miami Herald, was also officially notified of his dismissal.
Cuban journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla expressed his solidarity with the affected individuals on Facebook: “All my support to the colleagues who have been dramatically dismissed by the media entity to which they dedicated their best professional efforts, with soul, dedication, and fidelity.”
Greg Farmer, McClatchy's executive vice president of local news, attributed the cuts to a 41% decline in consumer revenue over the past five years. In total, the company laid off more than 90 journalists and unionized workers across 17 national publications.
FAQs About Jorge Ebro's Departure and McClatchy's Layoffs
Why did Jorge Ebro leave El Nuevo Herald?
Jorge Ebro left El Nuevo Herald after 25 years to pursue a new digital project named "Serebro en los Deportes" as he seeks to continue his journalism career with more freedom and independence.
What is "Serebro en los Deportes"?
"Serebro en los Deportes" is Jorge Ebro's new digital platform that will focus on boxing, MMA, and UFC, extending the reach of his already established podcast available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
What led to McClatchy's layoffs at El Nuevo Herald?
The layoffs at McClatchy, which affected El Nuevo Herald, were attributed to a significant 41% decline in consumer revenue over the last five years, resulting in the elimination of numerous positions across their publications.