BU Grad Goes Undefeated

By Greg Levinsky

The Undefeated, a website exploring the interconnection between sports, race, and culture is the focus for ESPN Vice President, Kevin Merida. The long time Washington Post journalist took on a radical career change at age 59.

“I didn’t go seeking the opportunity, the opportunity came to me,” said Merida, who left his position as managing editor of the Washington Post in October 2015.

theundefeated.com is a revived website that was launched on May 17, 2016. The idea of ESPN president John Skipper never got off the ground. A stand alone site, The Underground is “focusing on race through African American lives” according to Merida.

Merida, editor-in-chief of The Undefeated, is proud of the progress he and his team of 40 has made so far, saying,

“I think we brought some new talent to ESPN of the kind that didn’t exist before. I think we have had some strong pieces” said Merida hoping to continue the success.

After graduating from Boston University in 1979 with a degree in journalism, Merida began his career with the Dallas Morning News. He also spent time at the Milwaukee Journal before spending the majority of his time, 23 years, at the Washington Post.

Merida looked fondly upon his successful days at The Washington Post saying, “we were really having a great two or three years and traffic was increasing. It was probably the fastest growing media outlet in the country in terms of digital audience. Once Jeff Bezos [founder of Amazon] purchased it, it was a kind of injection of resources both in technology and the newsroom.”

In a statement released on the PR blog of The Washington Post, Executive Editor Martin Baron said that Merida “will perform brilliantly” in his new position.

Just six weeks into its life, The Undefeated has already made waves in the media world. There have been pieces as light as trash talking in the NBA, and as serious as the implications of perceived racial differences.

Merida noted the importance of remembering athletes are regular people as well,

“I think there is always these connections to the larger subjects because athletes are also in this world, you know? They are living in this world. They’re not just on the playing field.”

With that in mind, Merida is continuing “to develop The Undefeated into the best vehicle it can be.”

He plans for the site to be “digitally innovative.” Merida says The Undefeated will “experiment with form, different kinds of storytelling.”

Merida also sees the ability to “convene forums, symposiums, ‘Undefeated talks’, and maybe host debates.” Merida envisions the site beginning “to do things that would help further the subject of these conversations beyond what we produce.”

Merida is confident in his decision, saying that he “hasn’t really looked back.”
Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images