Sports Illustrated Staffers Say They Are Out
TheMaven, which operates Sports Illustrated's editorial on a license via the brand's parent company Authentic Brands Group, announced a round of layoffs today in the wake of anticipating losing about $30 million in expected revenue on account of the advertising market drying up to coronavirus. This includes SI, where Ben Strauss of the Washington Post reports that "at least" six editorial staffers and one business-side employee have been laid off.
So far, these are the staffers who have announced they are exiting:
After almost 20 years, today is my last at Sports Illustrated. Hell of a ride. I got to work alongside childhood idols, collaborate with some of the best editors in the business, and live out a dream. Best job in the world, I always said, and it was. A few thoughts: pic.twitter.com/oOpWvWEJVl
— Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) March 31, 2020
After nearly seven years and a bunch of wouldn't-trade-em-for-anything experiences, I got let go today by Sports Illustrated. If you're in the market for editing, writing, U.S. Senate trivia, etc., please be in touch at jackdickey@gmail.com.
— Jack Dickey (@jackdickey) March 30, 2020
Well! After 9 years, today was my last day at SI. And I can't even get drunk with my now-former co-workers. While it's never fun losing a job, it is a bit of a relief at this point. Though the last few months have been pretty brutal, I will focus on the good of my time there.
— Tom Mantzouranis (@themantz) March 30, 2020
After nearly 13 years, I’ve been told tomorrow will be my last day at Sports Illustrated. At the end of it all, I feel lucky to have called SI my only professional home. ...
— Sarah Kwak (@SI_sarahkwak) March 31, 2020
After nearly 5 yrs (& an internship), I got let go today at @SInow. I’ve enjoyed every second of it (except for the mock drafts). Here’s a photo from my fav assignment- track a cow on its way to a football. We really did that! If you happen to be hiring during pandemic, email me! pic.twitter.com/ZXhHFlFzL6
— Kalyn Kahler (@kalynkahler) March 31, 2020
All signs point to it being a brutal few months in both sportswriting and digital media at-large. Hopefully this will all come to pass sooner than later.