NEW YORK, NY - The employees of Sports Illustrated received distressing news on Friday as the publication's union revealed that a "significant number, if not all" of their jobs were slated for elimination. The Sports Illustrated union, expressing concerns over the publication's trajectory under Arena Group's stewardship, called on Authentic Brands Group (ABG) to ensure the continued publication of Sports Illustrated, a revered institution with nearly 70 years of history.
"Earlier today the workers of Sports Illustrated were notified that The Arena Group is planning to lay off a significant number, possibly all, of the Guild-represented workers at SI," the the union representing most of the publication's employees said on Friday.
On Thursday, January 18th, The Arena Group revealed a substantial reduction in its workforce, citing substantial debt and recent missed payments as contributing factors. The missed payments led to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) revoking the publishing license for Sports Illustrated, as highlighted by the union.
The Sports Illustrated union posted on X: "This is another difficult day in what has been a difficult four years for Sports Illustrated under Arena Group (previously The Maven) stewardship. We are calling on ABG to ensure the continued publication of SI and allow it to serve our audience in the way it has for nearly 70 years."
"Earlier today the workers of Sports Illustrated were notified that The Arena Group is planning to lay off a significant number, possibly all, of the Guild-represented workers at SI,"
- Union Representative for SI Employees
SI Publication
(Credit: SI Facebook Page)
Mitch Goldich, unit chair of the SI union and NFL editor, said in a statement “The union will continue to fight for the publication.” Despite facing challenges in recent years, the union has steadfastly advocated for the standards of Sports Illustrated and the fair treatment of its workforce."
Sports Illustrated has been under the ownership of Authentic Brands Group since 2019 but has sold its publishing rights to The Arena Group. The recent announcement of a significant reduction in the workforce of 100 employees by The Arena Group has added to the uncertainties surrounding the publication.
In December 2023, Sports Illustrated CEO Ross Levinsohn was dismissed by The Arena Group's board to enhance operational efficiency and revenue. The interim CEO, Manoj Bhargava, stepped in to navigate the challenges. Last year also witnessed the termination of Operations President and COO Andrew Kraft, media president Rob Barrett, and corporate counsel Julie Fenster.
” Despite facing challenges in recent years, the union has steadfastly advocated for the standards of Sports Illustrated and the fair treatment of its workforce."
- Mitch Goldich (Unit Chair of SI Union)
For seven decades, the weekly print publication Sports Illustrated was regarded as a pinnacle in sports journalism, earning national magazine awards and shaping the perspectives of numerous generations of sportswriters in print and online.
While The Arena Group grapples with workforce reductions, discussions with Authentic Brands Group are underway, aiming to resolve the issues and secure the future of Sports Illustrated. The union remains resolute in its determination to preserve the legacy of this iconic publication.
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