NYT suspends Crouse for failing to disclose Michael Phelps book deal

Oof. I wonder what her thought process was.

The New York Times has suspended star sports journalist Karen Crouse and her future at the paper is being heatedly debated amongst the paper’s top editors, three people familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast, following revelations she failed to disclose her deal to write a book with Michael Phelps while reporting on the Olympic swimming icon.

Last month, Crouse wrote a glowing piece on Phelps’ retirement from the sport and his reinvention as a mentor for young athletes. As The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple first reported, the Times quietly added an editor's note to the piece on Tuesday revealing the ethical violation.

“After this article was published, editors learned that the reporter had entered an agreement to co-write a book with Michael Phelps,” the note read. “If editors had been aware of the conflict, the reporter would not have been given the assignment.”

Crouse was due to travel to Tokyo to cover the Olympics for the Times but has now been suspended and taken off the swimming beat, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to The Daily Beast.

The reporter inked her deal to co-author the book earlier this year but failed to inform Times management. In fact, Crouse’s editors only learned of the publishing deal after reading about it in Sports Illustrated and were “livid,” according to the people familiar with the situation.​

 

Sorry for Karen, one of the most decent people I've known.

 

Just like that she throws it all away.

 

Oh, we've seen plenty of blow-up-your-career moments. In a land where Stephen A. is still polluting the airwaves, this doesn't quite measure up to me.

Hey, they love their advocacy journalism over there, right? Well, she's advocating. For Michael Phelps.

 

NY Times Suspends Sports Reporter Who Failed to Disclose Her Michael Phelps Book Deal

“Our guidelines state that no staff member may serve as a ghost writer or co-author for individuals who figure or are likely to figure in coverage they provide, edit, package or supervise. As the editors’ note makes clear, the arrangement was a conflict of interest. This was a significant lapse in judgment. We are reviewing this matter and will take appropriate action.”

Crouse wasn’t embarrassed in the least to announce it, so it was hardly a secret she meant to keep. She must’ve thought it was fine.

 

LOL. Conflict of interest? How the fuck is that a conflict of interest but Maggie Haberman's entire tenure isn't?

 

Come back, Boom! He'd have a field day here.

 

When she praised what a good person Phelps is she kind of gave away that she had a financial stake here.

 

Wait, are we pretending Boom's not here?

 

Shhhh

 

I'm sure everyone who left for the SJ 12.0 doesn't check in here!

(Big Boom fan, so this isn't a knock on him)