In a groundbreaking move, USA Today has appointed Heather Burns as its inaugural women’s sports editor. This significant announcement was made public via a post by the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Heather Burns (@hburns_usat), who led ESPN’s digital NFL team, has been hired by USA TODAY as its first women’s sports editor.”

About Heather Burns

With a rich career spanning over 30 years in sports journalism, Heather Burns brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Starting her career as a high school sports reporter in Iowa City, she has held various positions within the Gannett newspaper chain before transitioning into editing in 2000.

Burns initially served as a copy editor and later as the assistant sports editor at The Detroit News. In 2008, she joined ESPN, where she played a pivotal role in their digital NFL coverage and worked on the espnW platform.

As reported on Digital Women Leaders, her extensive background and expertise position her well to lead and advocate for women’s sports at USA Today.

Impact on Women’s Sports Coverage

Burns’ appointment is poised to enhance the coverage of women’s sports, an area that has historically been underrepresented in mainstream media. By leading this initiative at USA Today, she aims to spotlight female athletes and their accomplishments, expanding visibility and promoting equality within sports journalism.