LZ Granderson is new sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times

LZ Granderson, the openly gay sports writer and personality, has been hired by the Los Angeles Times. In his role with the Times, Granderson will write columns about the intersection of sports and a bunch of different areas including politics, culture and fashion. His first day on the job will be Jan. 14.

“LZ understands sports’ unique position in our society and its importance to our readers,” said the Times’ Assistant Managing Editor for Sports, Angel Rodriguez. “We’re ecstatic that he’s joining The Times’ Sports staff to offer insightful, thought-provoking columns as part of our coverage.”

Granderson is currently a co-host on ESPN Radio in Los Angeles and a columnist for CNN. He has had various roles at ESPN and is a former writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“For a publication as prestigious as the L.A. Times to consider me talented enough to be a part of its incredible team, and have my byline woven into its rich history, is truly an honor,” Granderson said. “I equate it to having Denzel call you up and ask you to be in a movie with him: You don’t ask to see the script first, you say ‘yes’ because it’s Denzel. The L.A. Times called, I said ‘yes’.”

You can follow LZ Granderson on Twitter.