It's long been traditional wisdom in New York City that the back page sports sections of tabloid newspapers sell as many or more papers than the front pages. But just six months after the Daily News laid off half of its newsroom editorial staff, the paper is eliminating its sports editor, and some media watchers are wondering what this might mean.

The New York Post was the first to report that its longtime rival plans to replace the role of sports editor with a "director of digital audience development for sports."  New York communications consultant and "Communications Breakdown" newsletter author Andrew Kirtzman told WNYC's Jami Floyd that the move suggests the Daily News is still struggling to find a digital foothold.

"They're trying to do on the web what they have been unable to do so far over the last few years, which is find a sustaining financial model and it just has been a failure," said Kirtzman.

A Tribune Publishing spokesperson told WNYC News that the move "signals a strategic shift for the sports department" in its efforts to expand its digital audience and maintain its print readers. The company is seeking a buyer for the paper.

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