For half a century, if you wanted to know the story behind the sports stories in New York, you read Neil Best. Now, after 50 years, the man who held the media accountable is signing off for good. A fixture in the industry since joining the paper, Best shared that his tenure, both in print and across social media. He will officially conclude this Wednesday at midnight.

“I am retiring from @NewsdaySports, daily journalism and ‘X’ at midnight on Wednesday,” Best posted on X. “Thanks for reading! (It’s all good! 100% my decision! Sorry about all the exclamation points!)”

Best, a lifelong Newsday reporter since 1982, framed his departure as a personal choice to step down after around five decades, framing his departure as a personal choice to step down after five decades and make room for a new generation of journalists. Throughout his distinguished 53-year career, Best served as a steady and trusted voice during an era of unprecedented industry transformation. 

He expertly navigated the transition from traditional newsprint to the digital age, witnessing firsthand the explosion of sports talk radio and the eventual dominance of social media, all while maintaining the high standards of reporting that defined his legacy.

His name ranks as one of the few full-time columnists at a major metropolitan daily dedicated exclusively to the sports media beat. His retirement has prompted a wave of admiration from the industry’s elite, with prominent figures like Adam Schefter and Mike Garafolo offering high praise and best wishes to a man who became a true dean of sports journalism.

A mix of emotions floods in amidst a legendary journalist’s retirement post

Neil Best’s journey with Newsday began decades before his byline became synonymous with sports media coverage. As a young journalist in the 1980s, Best first stepped into the Newsday newsroom in Melville with aspirations of following legendary columnist Joe Gergen. That ambition eventually turned into a 53-year career, making Best one of the most recognizable voices covering the sports media beat.

By Best’s own modest admission decades later, he eventually became a version of that hero, even if he insists he was just an “inferior” one.

As Best signs off for the final time, colleagues and competitors across the industry took to social media to celebrate his legacy.

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“One more Giants Online episode for the road? I’m down, @giantspathanlon. Congrats on a great career. And now, to quote, well, you…K bye,” Mike Garafolo commented. 

While many sports reporters conveyed their best wishes, NFL-team-specific reporters joined in too.

“Congrats! On! A! Great! Run! Well done. Enjoy retirement,” ESPN reporter Rich Cimini of the New York Jets. wrote

Alongside various others, some notable names joined in too, including a reporter who is perhaps more famous than most others today.

“Congratulations on a great run,” ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter commented. 

As tributes continued to roll in, NFL reporters who regularly crossed paths with Best added their voices.

“Congrats,” wrote SNY NFL reporter Connor Hughes, who covers both the Jets and Giants.

The appreciation extended beyond journalism into the broader sports business world.

“Godspeed, Neil. It’s been a pleasure reading you all these years in @Newsday and one of the reasons I’ve kept my subscription. You’re a pro’s pro; congrats on a great run,” DiBella Entertainment president Lou DiBella shared.

National NFL insiders were quick to single out Best’s final work as well.

“This is a great farewell column, with a perfect ending. All the best, @sportswatch, in retirement,” wrote Sports Illustrated senior NFL reporter Albert Breer.

Broadcast voices who grew up reading Best’s work also joined in.

“Congratulations on a tremendous career. I grew up reading all your columns and am glad to have gotten to know you. Enjoy retirement! You deserve it!” CBS Sports lead NFL reporter Tracy Wolfson posted.

The tributes culminated with praise from one of FOX’s most recognizable NFL personalities.

“Oh wow. Hugeeeee congrats, Neil!!! You’re the best, my man,” FOX NFL Sunday’s Jay Glazer wrote.

Best’s retirement marks the end of an era in sports journalism. In an industry defined by volatility, he stayed at one outlet for nearly 50 years, anchoring a specialized beat that has all but vanished. 

The veteran leaves behind a body of work that served as the definitive record of how New Yorkers consumed sports for half a century. Whether he was critiquing a broadcast booth or breaking news on local radio shifts, he remained a “pro’s pro” until the very last deadline.