Salt Lake Tribune Wins 5 APSE Sports Awards
Locales: Utah, UNITED STATES

Salt Lake City, UT - March 8, 2026 - The Salt Lake Tribune's sports department continues to cement its position as a leading voice in sports journalism, having recently been honored with five prestigious Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Awards. The accolades, announced earlier this week, highlight the breadth and depth of the Tribune's sports coverage, ranging from fast-paced breaking news to in-depth feature writing and innovative multimedia storytelling. This recent success brings the Tribune's lifetime APSE award count to over 50, a testament to decades of dedication and quality journalism.
The 2026 APSE Awards recognized the Tribune's exceptional reporting on key Utah sports teams and events. Coverage of the Utah Jazz's intense playoff series against the Phoenix Suns earned the staff recognition in the "Breaking News" category, acknowledging their ability to capture the excitement and deliver accurate, timely reporting amidst the heat of competition. The Jazz, currently undergoing a rebuilding phase after a strong run in the mid-2020s, have consistently drawn strong local coverage, and this award validates the Tribune's commitment to following their journey.
Beyond the immediacy of game coverage, the Tribune's dedication to long-form storytelling shone through in the "Feature Writing" award. A compelling piece focusing on the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, and their pursuit of a championship, resonated with judges. This award isn't just about baseball; it's about the human stories within the sport - the players, the coaches, and the dedicated fanbase. The Bees have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, becoming a local favorite, and the Tribune's feature expertly captured that energy.
The "Multimedia Storytelling" award recognized a dynamic package detailing the remarkable turnaround of the University of Utah Utes football program. The Utes, after a period of inconsistency, have become a perennial contender in the Big 12 Conference. The winning package likely combined video, interactive graphics, and compelling written narratives to paint a complete picture of the team's journey. This showcases the Tribune's commitment to modern journalism techniques, recognizing that audiences consume information in a variety of formats.
Perhaps most notably, the Tribune's comprehensive reporting on the Salt Lake City-Denver bid for the 2034 Winter Olympics earned the "Special Section" award. This is a significant achievement, given the high stakes and intense scrutiny surrounding the bid. The Tribune's coverage wasn't simply promotional; it provided critical analysis of the economic impact, logistical challenges, and potential benefits of hosting the games. With the 2034 bid gaining momentum and facing increasing competition from other international cities, the Tribune's detailed and nuanced reporting has been crucial for informing the public and fostering a constructive dialogue.
Finally, the Tribune was awarded for "Total Sports Coverage," recognizing the consistently high quality and wide-ranging scope of their sports reporting. This is a testament to the depth of the sports staff, their ability to cover a diverse range of sports - from professional teams like the Jazz and Bees to collegiate athletics and high school sports - and their unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity.
"We are incredibly proud of our sports staff and their dedication to delivering outstanding journalism," said Tribune Executive Sports Editor John Florencio in a statement. "These APSE Awards are a testament to their hard work, talent and commitment to covering the stories that matter to our community." Florencio also highlighted the increasing challenges facing local journalism and expressed gratitude for the continued support of Tribune readers.
The APSE Awards are widely considered the gold standard in sports journalism, recognizing excellence across all media platforms. The competition is fierce, and winning an APSE award is a significant accomplishment. The Tribune's consistent success in the APSE awards demonstrates their commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalistic practice and providing valuable, insightful sports coverage to the Salt Lake City community and beyond. As the sports landscape continues to evolve, the Salt Lake Tribune remains a vital source of information and analysis for sports fans in Utah.
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[ https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2026/03/04/salt-lake-tribune-earns-5-apse/ ]