Theodore "Ted" Beitchman

Theodore “Ted” Beitchman passed away on December 2, 2025 at the age of 78. He was born December 26, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA A lifelong journalist, editor, and publisher, Ted was best known as the publisher of Philly Sport magazine. Prior to that, he launched and published RealPhilly and The Player. His most recent venture was a lively and opinionated blog dedicated to Philadelphia’s sports teams—an outlet that perfectly captured his voice, passion, and candor.

A 1964 graduate of Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Ted went on to study political science at the University of Pennsylvania. His early career took him to the Los Angeles Times in the 1970s, followed by more than a decade with Sports Illustrated, where he served as a senior editor overseeing boxing and basketball coverage. He later became editor of the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, guiding the newsroom with his trademark energy and sharp editorial instincts.

Ted also served his country as a member of the United States Navy serving on the U.S.S. Forrestal in 1967. John McCain was also on that ship as a pilot flying missions into Viet Nam. There was a devastating fire on the ship in the Gulf of Tonkin which killed 134 and injured 161, and destroyed the flight deck.

His curiosity about public life extended beyond journalism. Ted worked in a senior role in Mayor Ed Rendell’s administration in Philadelphia. Earlier in his life, he canvassed for several political campaigns, including those of Robert Kennedy, Sargent Shriver, Ted Kennedy, New York mayor John Lindsay, and Philadelphia mayor Bill Green. As Ted liked to quip, Lindsay was the only candidate he ever helped elect—adding with a smile, “That figured. Lindsay is 6-foot-3.”

Ted was predeceased by his father Lewis and his mother Edythe. He is survived by his younger brother, Arthur Beitchman (73) of Philadelphia.