Sports Illustrated is cutting staff again. Several prominent writers are out as Minute Media is undergoing a reported 12% of its workforce.
What We Know: According to reporting by Front Office Sports, several veteran writers such as Greg Bishop and Michael Rosenberg have been laid off. Baseball writer Stephanie Apstein also confirmed her departure after nearly 15 years with the brand. College reporter Mike McDaniel, and writers Madison Williams, Stephen Douglas, and editor Kyle Koster were also let go. In total, a reported 10 to 15 people were affected. Parent company Minute Media is reportedly cutting 12% of its global workforce — approximately 60 positions in total. This mirrors previous rounds of reductions at the outlet.
What They Said: Several of those laid off revealed the news via social media.
Greg Bishop: “When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was write cover stories for Sports Illustrated. I loved every day I got to do that — for more than 12 years. I’m part of the layoffs today. Now I’m standing on the side of the highway, holding a cardboard sign. It says: WILL WRITE FOR FOOD.”
Michael Rosenberg: “This morning, I had my favorite kind of meeting: a short one. I was laid off during that meeting, but life is about tradeoffs, and look at me now, just a few hours later. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and I’m using this stupid website again.
When I was a kid, I dreamed of writing for Sports Illustrated. I am grateful that I got to do it for 14 years, and that SI let me go before I started eating the press meals at next month’s U.S. Open. Life has been good to me in so many ways.
Thank you to everybody who read anything I wrote for SI. Thank you to the sources and subjects who trusted me. Especially, thank you to all of the colleagues who helped elevate my work, saved me from myself, and made me feel like I was part of a great team. That’s one of the best feelings a human can have, and I look forward to experiencing it again.
Stephanie Apstein: “Eight days shy of my 15th anniversary at Sports Illustrated, I’ve been informed that I’ve joined the extensive ranks of writers laid off from there. I loved my time at SI, I’m very sad to see it end and I’m eager to do the best work of my career elsewhere. Thank you for reading.”
Mike McDaniel: “After 4.5 years at Sports Illustrated, I was informed this morning that I am being laid off. Would love to continue writing about what I’m most passionate about – college athletics. But truth be told, I’m open to anything.”
What Remains Unclear: It also remains unknown whether additional cuts are forthcoming. There are several reports that a failed acquisition of Indian company VideoVerse appears to be a driving factor for these cuts by Minute Media.
What It Means: Layoffs and Sports Illustrated has unfortunately become two words far too familiar with each other in recent times. This is yet another alarming sign for one of sports media’s most iconic brands. SI has endured repeated layoffs and ownership turbulence under Minute Media’s watch.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
