Editing Sports Illustrated (section)

=== Sale to Authentic Brands Group, Maven ===
In 2018, the magazine was sold to [[Meredith Corporation]] by means of its acquisition of parent company [[Time Inc.]]. Meredith, however, planned to sell ''Sports Illustrated'' due to not aligning with its lifestyle properties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/21/media/meredith-time-fortune-magazine-for-sale/index.html|title=Meredith is putting Sports Illustrated and Time magazines on the block|last2=Gold|first2=Hadas |first1=Brian |last1=Stelter |author-link=Brian Stelter |date=March 21, 2018 |author-link2=Hadas Gold |work=CNNMoney|access-date=March 29, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329121818/http://money.cnn.com/2018/03/21/media/meredith-time-fortune-magazine-for-sale/index.html|archive-date=March 29, 2018}}</ref> [[Authentic Brands Group]] announced its intent to acquire ''Sports Illustrated'' for $110 million the next year, stating that it would leverage its brand and other assets for new opportunities that "stay close to the DNA and the heritage of the brand." Upon the announcement, Meredith would enter into a licensing agreement to continue as publisher of the ''Sports Illustrated'' editorial operations for at least the next two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/sports-illustrated-sold-to-authentic-brands-group-for-110-million-1202622959/|title=Sports Illustrated Sold To Authentic Brands Group For $110 Million|last=Bennett|first=Anita|date=2019-05-28|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528014119/https://deadline.com/2019/05/sports-illustrated-sold-to-authentic-brands-group-for-110-million-1202622959/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/sports-illustrated-sale-meredith-authentic-brands-1203226481/|title=Meredith Sells Sports Illustrated to Authentic Brands Group for $110 Million|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|date=2019-05-28|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528135832/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/sports-illustrated-sale-meredith-authentic-brands-1203226481/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2019, the rights to publish the ''Sports Illustrated'' editorial operations were licensed to the digital media company theMaven, Inc. under a 10-year contract, with [[Ross Levinsohn]] as CEO. The company had backed a bid by [[Junior Bridgeman]] to acquire ''SI''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=2022-01-18 |title=The Arena Group is buying Parade and plans up-listing to New York Stock Exchange |url=https://www.axios.com/arena-group-parade-magazine-344b18f7-ea33-485b-ac06-331bec630b23.html |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2019|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-ross-levinsohn-heckman-maven-sports-illustrated-20190617-story.html|title=Ross Levinsohn, now with Maven, to manage Sports Illustrated magazine|last=James|first=Meg|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=2019-06-18|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618053813/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-ross-levinsohn-heckman-maven-sports-illustrated-20190617-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In preparation for the closure of the sale to ABG and Maven,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/sports-illustrated-cancels-dreaded-transition-meetings-1838743478|title=Sports Illustrated Cancels Dreaded "Transition Meetings" 10 Minutes Before They Were Supposed To Start|website=Deadspin|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=2019-10-03|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003175036/https://deadspin.com/sports-illustrated-cancels-dreaded-transition-meetings-1838743478|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that there would be ''Sports Illustrated'' employee layoffs,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-illustrateds-new-operator-to-lay-off-more-than-40-employees-11570073983|title=Sports Illustrated's New Operator to Lay Off More Than 40 Employees|last2=Trachtenberg|first1=Benjamin|last1=Mullin|first2=Jeffrey A.|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=October 3, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-03}}</ref> which was confirmed after the acquisition had closed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-illustrateds-new-operator-to-lay-off-more-than-40-employees-11570073983|title=Sports Illustrated Operator Cuts 25% of Staff, Sparking Backlash|last=Trachtenberg|first=Benjamin Mullin and Jeffrey A.|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=October 3, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-04|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003152520/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-illustrateds-new-operator-to-lay-off-more-than-40-employees-11570073983|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2019, editor-in-chief Chris Stone stepped down.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/341486/meredith-cfo-joe-ceryanec-sports-illustrated-ei.html|title=Meredith CFO Joe Ceryanec, 'Sports Illustrated' EIC Chris Stone Stepping Down|website=Mediapost.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03}}</ref> Later that month, ''Sports Illustrated'' announced its hiring of veteran college sports writer [[Pat Forde]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college/2019/10/29/sports-illustrated-pat-forde-college-football|title=Pat Forde Joining Sports Illustrated to Cover College Sports|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=October 29, 2019 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-10-29}}</ref> In January 2020, it announced an editorial partnership with ''[[The Hockey News]]'', focusing on syndication of NHL-related coverage.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-24 |title=The Hockey News is teaming up with Maven and Sports Illustrated |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/the-hockey-news-teams-with-maven-si-digital-experience-team-sites.html |access-date=2020-01-24 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414151449/https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/the-hockey-news-teams-with-maven-si-digital-experience-team-sites.html |url-status=live }}</ref>''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports Illustrated and The Hockey News Join Forces |url=https://www.thestreet.com/markets/sports-illustrated-and-the-hockey-news-join-forces |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=TheStreet |date=January 23, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref> In 2021, it announced a similar partnership with ''Morning Read'' for golf coverage, with its website being merged into that of ''Sports Illustrated''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Sports Illustrated is getting back on the links |url=https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2021/06/14/Upfront/Sports-Illustrated.aspx |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Sports Business Journal |date=June 14, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041645/https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2021/06/14/Upfront/Sports-Illustrated.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> It also partnered with [[iHeartMedia]] to distribute and co-produce [[podcast]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-26 |title=Sports Illustrated inks original podcast deal with iHeartMedia |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/podcasts/sports-illustrated-inks-original-podcast-deal-with-iheartmedia.html |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414151448/https://awfulannouncing.com/podcasts/sports-illustrated-inks-original-podcast-deal-with-iheartmedia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2021, Maven, now known as The Arena Group, acquired the New Jersey–based sports news website ''The Spun'',  which would integrate into ''Sports Illustrated''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Stenberg |first1=Mark |date=April 26, 2022 |title=The Arena Group Boosts Annual Revenue 48% and Expands Reach |url=https://www.adweek.com/media/portfolio-playbook-sports-illustrated-publisher-the-arena-group-boosts-annual-revenue-48/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602153922/https://www.adweek.com/media/portfolio-playbook-sports-illustrated-publisher-the-arena-group-boosts-annual-revenue-48/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, ABG announced several non-editorial ventures involving the ''Sports Illustrated'' brand, including an apparel line for [[JCPenney]] "inspired by iconic moments in sports" (it was not the brand's first foray into clothing, as it launched a branded swimsuit line in conjunction with its ''Swimsuit Issue'' in 2018),<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lacy |first1=Lisa |date=January 7, 2022 |title=Sports Illustrated and JCPenney Partner on an Apparel Line |url=https://www.adweek.com/commerce/sports-illustrated-drops-an-apparel-collection-with-jcpenney/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[resort hotel]]s in [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] and [[Punta Cana]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-13 |title=Today in great ideas: Sports Illustrated resort hotels are coming soon |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/si/today-in-great-ideas-sports-illustrated-resort-hotels-are-coming-soon.html |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2023, it delved deeper into the resort world through a new partnership with ''[[Travel + Leisure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Sports Illustrated Launches New Resort Collection |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Sports-Illustrated-Launches-New-Resort-Collection |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=www.travelmarketreport.com |language=en}}</ref>

On November 27, 2023, ''Futurism'' published an article alleging that ''Sports Illustrated'' was publishing AI-generated articles credited to authors who were also AI-generated; the latter practice apparently extended to their profile photos, which the website alleged were sourced from online marketplaces selling such photos.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/sports-illustrated-ai-generated-articles-report-1235639538/|title=Sports Illustrated Writers "Horrified" By Report That AI-Generated Articles Are Being Published Under SI Banner|work=Deadline|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref> After ''Futurism'' reached out to The Arena Group, the magazine purportedly removed some of the implicated writers and republished their articles under other AI-generated authors with notes disclaiming its staff's involvement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sato |first1=Mia |title=Sports Illustrated reportedly published articles from fake AI authors |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/27/23978389/sports-illustrated-ai-fake-authors-advon-commerce-gannett-usa-today |access-date=November 27, 2023 |work=The Verge |date=November 27, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AI - CNN">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/27/media/sports-illustrated-deletes-articles-fake-author-names-ai-profile-photos/index.html|title=Sports Illustrated deletes articles published under fake author names and AI-generated profile photos|work=CNN|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=November 27, 2023}}</ref> In response to the report, a spokesperson for ''Sports Illustrated'' claimed that the affected articles were product reviews written without the involvement of AI by AdVon Commerce, a third-party company who they claimed used pseudonyms to "protect author privacy" and had already severed ties with; meanwhile, writers and editors at the magazine sharply criticized the alleged practices.<ref name="AI - CNN" />

On January 5, 2024, The Arena Group missed a $3.75 million quarterly licensing payment to Authentic Brands Group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ted|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/sports-illustrated-brand-publisher-restructuring-1235696747/|title=Sports Illustrated's Brand Owner, Authentic, Warns Publisher It May Terminate Contract After Fee Payment Missed|work=Deadline|date=January 6, 2024|access-date=January 19, 2024|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119173658/https://deadline.com/2024/01/sports-illustrated-brand-publisher-restructuring-1235696747/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later, on January 19, Authentic Brands Group terminated its licensing agreement. As a result, The Arena Group fought back by announcing that it would lay off the entire ''Sports Illustrated'' staff.<ref>{{cite news|last=Perez|first=A.J.|url=https://frontofficesports.com/sports-illustrateds-publisher-lays-off-entire-staff-future-unclear/|title=Sports Illustrated's Publisher Lays Off Entire Staff. Future Unclear|work=Front Office Sports|date=January 19, 2024|access-date=January 19, 2024|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119172339/https://frontofficesports.com/sports-illustrateds-publisher-lays-off-entire-staff-future-unclear/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2024, Authentic Brands Group licensed the publishing rights to [[Minute Media]] in a 10-year deal, jointly announcing that the print and digital editions would be revived by rehiring some of the editorial staff.<ref name=":0" /> Minute converted the Fan Nation–branded team sites to "On SI".<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Bucholtz|title=Athlon Sports’ USC site deletes one of three bashed articles after plagiarism claims from Trojans on SI reporter|date=September 21, 2024|work=Awful Announcing|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/arena-group/usc-athlon-sports-trojans-on-si-plagiarism-questions.html|access-date=January 7, 2024|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921202841/https://awfulannouncing.com/arena-group/usc-athlon-sports-trojans-on-si-plagiarism-questions.html|url-status=live}}</ref>