Newsday Veteran Reflects on New York Sports Drought

Neil Best discusses the Yankees' title drought and changes in the sports media industry over his 40-year career.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 1:15am

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Veteran Newsday sports columnist Neil Best reflects on over 40 years covering New York sports teams, including the New York Yankees' current title drought and the evolving landscape of the sports media industry.

Why it matters

New York sports fans have endured a prolonged championship drought, with the Yankees last winning a World Series title in 2009. Best's insights provide valuable perspective on this drought and the broader changes impacting sports journalism.

The details

In a wide-ranging interview, Best discusses the Yankees' struggles to return to the top of baseball, the challenges facing the New York Rangers, and the significant shifts he has witnessed in sports media over his decades-long career, including the rise of digital platforms and the changing role of the traditional beat writer.

  • Neil Best has covered New York sports for over 40 years, starting in the early 1980s.

The players

Neil Best

A veteran sports columnist for Newsday who has covered New York sports teams for over four decades.

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What they’re saying

“The Yankees' title drought has been really tough for New York fans to endure. They're used to winning, and this prolonged stretch without a championship has been painful to watch.”

— Neil Best, Sports Columnist

What’s next

Best plans to continue covering New York sports for Newsday, providing his unique perspective on the teams and the industry.

The takeaway

Neil Best's decades-long career covering New York sports offers valuable insight into the city's championship drought and the evolving media landscape, underscoring the challenges and changes facing both fans and journalists in the modern era of sports.