Sports Illustrated to conduct mass layoff after publisher loses right to use brand name

The publisher of Sports Illustrated (SI) informed employees that the company may have to lay off most—if not all—of its staff after the license to use the brand in digital and print media was revoked.  

An email from the Arena Group, which is the entity in charge of SI, said that the brand management company Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has revoked its marketing license for the large media organization.  

"As a result of this license revocation, we will be laying off staff that work on the SI brand," the email stated.  

The SI Union of workers came out on X with a statement that read, "This is another difficult day in what has been a difficult four years for Sports Illustrated under Arena Group." 

"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." 

The statement also quoted NFL Editor Mitch Goldrich, who said, "We have fought together as a union to maintain the standard of this storied publication that we love, and to make sure our workers are treated fairly for the value they bring to this company. It is a fight we will continue."  
The union members also expect their contract obligations to be fulfilled.  

Arena Group acquired publishing rights from ABG in 2019 for ten years, however, backlash from the company posting AI-generated stories and other controversy has taken a toll on the brand.