In a game-changer for one of journalism’s most-recognizable institutions, Sports Illustrated is getting another chance.
SI’s long-running print magazine will continue to publish through a new deal between its owner, Authentic Brands Group, and the digital company Minute Media, according to an announcement Monday.
The agreement grants publishing rights for both web and print to Minute Media, which also operates the sports websites FanSided and the Derek Jeter-founded Players’ Tribune.
The deal comes two months after Authentic Brands revoked the marketing license of The Arena Group, which had operated SI since 2019. Arena announced in January its plans to lay off much of the Sports Illustrated staff, and last week told employees the final print magazine would publish in May, according to The New York Times.
Minute Media intends to continue print operations and to rehire employees who were laid off, chief executive Asaf Peled told The Times in an interview published Monday. The deal reportedly gives Minute Media the SI license for at least 10 years with an option that can expand to 30.
“Sports Illustrated is the gold standard for sports journalism and has been for nearly 70 years across both print and digital media,” Peled said in a statement.
“The weight and power of that distinction cannot be understated. At Minute Media, our focus will be to take that legacy into new, emerging channels enhancing visibility, commercial viability and sustainable impact, all while ensuring that the SI team is inspired to flourish in this new era of media.”