Sports Illustrated is in the midst of upheaval, as all staff received notice of dismissal from The Arena Group, the company that operates the popular magazine, on Friday.
The latter indicated that its license had been revoked by Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which has owned Sports Illustrated since 2019.
The number of employees affected by the layoffs was not specified in the email. In an official statement from the employees’ union of Sports Illustrated released later today, there is talk of a “significant number, if not all” of the jobs that will be eliminated.
“We have fought together as a union to maintain the standard of this historic publication that we love, and to ensure that our employees are treated fairly for the value they bring to this company. This is a battle we will continue,” said Mitch Goldich, NFL editor and union president.
“We call on ABG to ensure the continued publication of SI and allow it to serve our audience as it has for nearly 70 years. »
Authentic responded, also in an official statement, that “ Sports Illustrated will continue to offer its readers and fans a premium experience across all its sectors.”
In a publication published Friday afternoon on the social network she clarified.
“Even though the publication license has been revoked, we will continue to produce Sports Illustrated until this is resolved. We hope to be the company that moves forward IF, but if not, we’re confident someone will. If it is another company, we will support the transition so that the legacy of Sports Illustrated don’t suffer from it. »