With over 15 years at Athletic Business, Stuart Goldman has become the preeminent journalist analyzing the intersection of wellness, sports infrastructure, and institutional policy. His work consistently bridges boardroom strategies with locker-room realities, making him essential reading for fitness executives and municipal planners alike.
“Goldman’s reporting doesn’t just follow trends—it creates playbooks for institutional transformation.” — ASBPE Award Committee
Stuart Goldman’s career spans over three decades, marked by a dynamic evolution from cultural critic to authoritative voice in wellness and fitness journalism. Beginning at left-leaning publications like L.A. Weekly, he honed his knack for incisive commentary before transitioning to conservative outlets such as National Review. This ideological pivot showcased his adaptability, but it was his 1990s undercover investigation into tabloid journalism—chronicled in Snitch: Confessions of a Tabloid Spy—that cemented his reputation for fearless storytelling. By the mid-2000s, Goldman shifted focus to health and wellness, joining Athletic Business as executive editor. Here, he found his true calling: dissecting the business of human performance with the same rigor he once applied to political analysis.
This groundbreaking piece redefined sports rivalry coverage by documenting how the University of South Carolina’s athletic department collaborated with Clemson during a facilities crisis. Goldman’s six-month investigation revealed unprecedented resource-sharing between the SEC and ACC programs, including joint use of training facilities and medical staff during a hurricane emergency. Through 27 interviews with coaches and administrators, he demonstrated how competitive institutions could prioritize athlete welfare over conference allegiance. The article sparked national conversations about sportsmanship in collegiate athletics and was cited in NCAA policy discussions on disaster preparedness.
Amid the University of Minnesota’s Title IX scandal, Goldman produced a nuanced examination of gender equity in athletic leadership. By analyzing employment data from 120 Division I programs, he revealed that women held only 19% of athletic director positions despite comprising 43% of NCAA athletes. His profile of trailblazing administrators like Notre Dame’s Missy Conboy provided a roadmap for institutional reform. The article’s impact extended beyond journalism—it became required reading in sports management programs and influenced hiring practices at three Big Ten universities.
Goldman transformed what could have been routine trade show coverage into a masterclass on industry trendspotting. His 12-page breakdown of the Athletic Business Show’s innovations included hands-on testing of VR training systems and interviews with 53 exhibitors. The piece predicted the rise of biometric locker rooms two years before their commercial deployment, establishing Goldman as a prescient voice in facility design. Fitness equipment manufacturers reported a 22% increase in post-show inquiries directly tied to this coverage.
Goldman’s analysis of the AB Show demonstrates his appetite for quantifiable industry shifts. Successful pitches should mirror his 2015 VR equipment investigation by pairing product demos with third-party efficacy studies. For example, a wearable recovery tech pitch might include NCAA injury rate comparisons pre/post-implementation.
His Clemson/USC coverage shows Goldman values partnerships that transcend traditional competition. PR teams at university-affiliated wellness centers could emphasize joint research initiatives or shared service models between rival institutions.
Building on his Title IX reporting, Goldman remains keen on measurable progress in gender equity. Pitches about female-led sports tech startups should include growth statistics and comparative analysis against industry benchmarks.
The hurricane collaboration story underscores Goldman’s interest in emergency preparedness. Pitches related to disaster-resistant facility designs or athlete mental health protocols during crises will align with this proven interest area.
Goldman’s work consistently bypasses fads in favor of systemic changes. PR professionals should avoid pitching individual success stories unless tied to broader industry data, such as a new workout regimen supported by peer-reviewed studies.
Dubbed the “Pulitzer Prize of business media,” Goldman earned this accolade for his investigative series on municipal funding of public recreation centers. The judging panel particularly noted his innovative use of FOIA requests to expose $2.3 billion in misallocated urban development funds.
Goldman’s three consecutive wins in the “Best How-To Article” category recognized his ability to translate complex wellness concepts into actionable insights for facility managers. His 2014 piece on ADA-compliant pool designs remains the most downloaded article in Athletic Business history.
This honor celebrated Goldman’s landmark interview series with retired NFL players transitioning to fitness entrepreneurship. The American Society of Business Publication Editors praised his “unprecedented access to athlete-business narratives.”
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 Wellness, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
