Mass layoffs announced at Sports Illustrated.
The union said the layoffs could affect “a significant number, possibly all” guild members at Sports Illustrated. According to the union, the outlet’s publisher, The Arena Group, has had its license revoked.
In November, affiliate marketing content credited to fake, AI-generated authors began appearing on Sports Illustrated. The Arena Group maintained, however, that the content itself was written by humans. Spokesperson Rachael Fink wrote in an email to The Verge:
“We are in active discussions with [the license holders] but we understand we aren’t the only ones. Even though the publishing license has been revoked we will continue to produce Sports Illustrated until this is resolved.
We hope to be the company to take SI forward but if not, we are confident that someone will. If it is another business, we will support the transition so the legacy of Sports Illustrated doesn’t suffer.”
