His departure marks the end of a 40-plus-year career at the News. Mr. Sapio first joined the tabloid as an advertising office boy in 1969. After moving to editorial, he rose from typist to copy editor, then to news editor and senior executive editor.

One source said his exit was a "long time coming." Shortly after the News let go fellow high level editor Stuart Marques (and not long before former editor Kevin Convey's ouster), Mr. Sapio was mysteriously "promoted" to managing editor, a position presumably beneath his previous senior executive editor spot. Sources were unsure who, if anyone, would replace him.

Another longtime News staffer, John Roca, who was laid off at the end of 2011, sued the Daily News for unlawful termination last month, citing age discrimination.