Gary Hershorn's sports pictures editor job eliminated

Reuters has changed the way it covers sports, especially in North America, the National Press Photographers Association said. “Last August it was learned that Reuters planned to dump all of their North American freelance sports photographers and replace them with shooters provided by USA Today Sports Images. The coverage change took effect September 15, and since then the photographs shot by USA Today Sports Images freelancers have replaced Reuters staff and contract pictures on the wire.”

“That had a huge impact on my job,” Hershorn said. “I think the simple fact that Reuters is covering less sports in the States created less of a need to have a sports picture editor. There’s no doubt in my mind that the two are tied together.” When Reuters signed the deal with USA Today Sports Images, the agreement included the fact that Reuters staff photographers in North America cannot cover sporting events - which took away Hershorn’s ability to shoot. 

“I would like to do something in the future that allows me to take more pictures,” Hershorn said, “something that allows me to use a camera again. I’m really open minded about the future. I love print journalism but I also love the whole new world of streaming photography, and I have skills that cross both media. For the near future I’ll probably do some freelancing, but I'm open to any new opportunity.”

Hershorn recently returned from Russia where he coordinated Reuters coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. He has covered 16 Olympics, more than 10 MLB World's Series championships, 24 Masters Golf tournaments in Augusta, 23 Academy Awards ceremonies, and every Super Bowl since 1990.

After Sochi, Hershorn had turned his full attention to the next major sports project for Reuters - building the master plan for World Cup Soccer coverage in Brazil.

Before joining Reuters, Hershorn worked for United Press Canada from 1979 to 1985. He started with UPC when he was 21. When Reuters took over United Press International’s foreign picture service in 1985 he became a staff photographer at Reuters News Pictures. UPI veterans Robert Schnitzlein and Mitch Koppelman ran the Reuters picture operation in Washington.

His last day with Reuters will be 1 April. ■