Sports Illustrated's reported teardown is leaving journalists and sports fans utterly devastated
If you’re someone who grew up claiming to love sports, then you’re probably more than familiar with Sports Illustrated.
Chances are SI Kids was your jam back in the day. Maybe you’re like me and you used to sneak issues from out of your school library into your middle school classes to read during your downtime.
Many of us grew up on Sports Illustrated as a brand. It introduced so many of us to what legitimately great sports journalism looked like. And it inspired us to want to be part of that world.
As of Friday, it seems the publication’s run might be over.
The Arena Group — the company with the license to publish SI — is reportedly laying off a significant portion of the publication’s staff.
The exact number isn’t clear at this point. The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch obtained this email employees were sent detailing the layoff process. It says the company will be “laying off staff that work on the SI brand.”
Sports Illustrated staffers received this today. pic.twitter.com/Q0WdVRzuRb
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 19, 2024
This statement from the SI Union says the company “is planning to lay off a significant number, possibly all, of the Guild-represented workers at SI.”
Our statement on today’s mass layoffs at Sports Illustrated pic.twitter.com/tQjJdoHP4p
— Sports Illustrated Union (@si_union) January 19, 2024
Regardless, what’s clear is that there’s a lot of people losing their jobs today. That’s a devastating blow for sports journalism as an industry and for sports fans everywhere.
Journalists and fans, alike, shared their reactions via social media. Everyone is devastated by this news.