New York CNN —The future of Sports Illustrated was uncertain Friday after the publisher of the iconic magazine and website laid off most or “probably all” of its guild-represented staff, its union said.
In a memo sent to staff viewed by CNN, the magazine’s publisher said it is “laying off staff that work on the SI brand.”Authentic Brands Group has owned the magazine and website since 2019.
“This is another difficult day in what has been a difficult four years for Sports Illustrated under Arena Group (previously The Maven) stewardship,” the union said in a statement on X.
The union said it expects the Arena Group to honor its union contract and for all of its employees to be treated fairly.
Levinsohn was replaced, effective immediately, by interim chief executive Manoj Bhargava, the 5-Hour Energy founder who owns a majority stake in The Arena Group, said Vince Bodiford, a spokesperson for Bhargava.
Persons:
ABG, Manoj Bhargava, Mitch Goldich, It’s, Ross Levinsohn, Levinsohn, Vince Bodiford, Bhargava, CNN’s Oliver Darcy, Liam Reilly
Organizations:
New, New York CNN, Sports, CNN, SI, Arena Group, Sports Illustrated, ”, Hour Energy, Group, The
Locations:
New York