EssentiallySports announced a strategic expansion of its NFL coverage, appointing veteran editor Tim Wood as Editor-in-Chief to lead the vertical’s next chapter of growth. As part of its broader ambition to deepen football coverage, EssentiallySports is strengthening leadership and editorial resources. Wood brings over three decades of experience in sports media, including 25 years covering the NFL, and has reported on some of the biggest moments in American sports, from Super Bowls and World Series to NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals. 

He is known for shaping high-performance newsrooms, having built a reputation as a newsroom leader who mentors journalists and shapes editorial teams that reach millions of readers. In one of his most notable roles, Wood served as Managing Editor at Bleacher Report during its rapid growth phase, where he launched nationwide coverage teams and helped develop the signature Team Stream app and social-media-driven content strategy. 

Wood’s career includes senior editorial roles at major sports media outlets like the New York Yankees, MLB.com and Forbes. Moreover, in 2017 Wood founded Over Medium Media, creating hyperlocal sports news outlets and digital shows, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial impact on sports journalism. 

At EssentiallySports, Wood will lead the NFL coverage team, refine long-term editorial strategy, and oversee the creation of high-impact, insight-driven storytelling around America’s biggest sport. As EssentiallySports reaches tens of millions of U.S. sports fans each month, it aims to tighten the alignment between what fans want and what the site publishes. 

NFL coverage already accounts for a significant share of EssentiallySports’ readership. As of November 2025, the company’s flagship NFL newsletter, “The Huddle,” serves more than 150,000 subscribers and publishes daily. Moreover, internal analytics show that nearly 40% of the platform’s total audience engages primarily with NFL content. Team-specific editions like “Cowboys Huddle” and “Chiefs Huddle” further engage dedicated fan communities.

These strong newsletter and traffic numbers give Wood a powerful platform to build on. Under the veteran editor’s leadership, the NFL coverage team will refine its coverage beats, produce more in-depth features and recurring series, and integrate coverage with newsletters and podcasts to amplify engagement. 

“I’m honored to have a chance to work with such a talented and impressive group. Meeting with the founders, it got me excited to jump back in the trenches and work with the next generation of sports storytellers,” Wood said, expressing enthusiasm about joining EssentiallySports.

 Reacting to the appointment, EssentiallySports’ leadership emphasized the strategic importance of the move.“Tim’s experience in high-performing newsrooms and digital sports media will support our next phase of growth. Our aim is to deliver richer stories for football fans and expand our audience presence,” said EssentiallySports CEO and co-founder Harit Pathak.

The company expects this leadership addition to improve planning around the NFL season, bolster long-form investigative pieces, and build content franchises that keep readers returning each week. With this strategic hire, EssentiallySports aims to continue growing its NFL audience by offering smarter analysis and richer storytelling.