Currently writing for The Athletic’s UK edition, Miller brings two decades of investigative rigor to sports-adjacent civic issues. His work bridges institutional accountability reporting with human-centered narratives, particularly in these areas:
Awards Spotlight:
We’ve followed Nick Miller’s two-decade journey from alt-weekly reporter to award-winning investigative editor. His career began at the Sacramento News & Review, where he spent 12 years honing his skills in accountability journalism. During this period, Miller spearheaded groundbreaking coverage of political corruption, including a First Amendment battle against former NBA star Mayor Kevin Johnson that earned regional and national recognition[2][9].
Miller’s 2016 move to the East Bay Express as editor-in-chief marked a turning point. There, he oversaw the George Polk Award-winning investigation into the Oakland Police Department’s sexual misconduct scandal – work that exposed systemic failures in urban law enforcement[2][5]. This project cemented his reputation as an editor who empowers reporters to tackle complex institutional corruption.
Miller’s 2015 exposé revealed how 14 African American mayors mobilized against then-Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s alleged attempts to silence sexual misconduct allegations. The piece combined court document analysis with insider political sources, demonstrating Miller’s ability to navigate sensitive legal terrain while maintaining journalistic rigor. Its publication coincided with HBO’s Real Sports investigation, creating national pressure that ultimately influenced Johnson’s decision not to seek re-election[9].
As editor, Miller guided reporters through a two-year investigation of the Oakland Police Department’s mishandling of sexual assault cases involving officers. The series led to federal oversight reforms and won the 2017 George Polk Award for Local Reporting – a rare honor for alternative weekly journalism[2][5]. Miller’s editorial leadership ensured the complex story remained accessible through clear narrative structure and victim-centered storytelling.
Miller’s 2016 coverage of the “Right to Rest” occupation blended policy analysis with human profiles, examining how urban development decisions impacted vulnerable populations. His reporting prompted city council debates about sanctioned encampments and influenced Sacramento’s approach to homelessness services[9].
Miller’s recent move to The Athletic suggests growing interest in sports-adjacent investigations. Successful pitches should connect athletic organizations to broader civic issues – for example, how stadium deals impact municipal budgets, or athlete activism influencing policy changes. His Sacramento Kings coverage demonstrated this through arena development analyses that highlighted displacement risks[9].
With his background defending press freedoms, Miller remains attuned to modern challenges like social media censorship and journalist protections. Pitches could explore how new technologies complicate public records access or create novel legal threats for reporters. His editing of the Kevin Johnson lawsuit coverage shows particular interest in financial pressures against media outlets[2][9].
While Miller no longer focuses exclusively on law enforcement, his award-winning police accountability work indicates continued receptiveness to stories about reform measures. Effective angles might examine training program efficacy, oversight committee politics, or budget reallocation impacts. The Oakland PD series’ focus on institutional patterns over individual bad actors remains a useful model[5].
Miller’s ground-level reporting on encampments and housing solutions creates opportunities for pitches about experimental programs. Highlight measurable outcomes and political coalitions, as seen in his “Right to Rest” coverage that tracked both activist strategies and policy responses[9].
His graduate work in history informs a storytelling approach that roots investigations in institutional patterns. Pitches should identify how present-day issues reflect longer-term systemic failures or successes, similar to his reporting that connected modern police scandals to decades-old consent decrees[2][5].
“Miller’s editing transformed local police reporting into a national conversation about institutional accountability.” – George Polk Awards Committee
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Sports, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
