S-I Print Edition Ending...Then Again, Maybe Not

It appears there’s some uncertainty regarding the future of Sports Illustrated’s print edition. 

Reports suggest that The Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated, has informed employees that the print magazine will end after the May issue1. However, this seems to contradict statements from Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Sports Illustrated, which has indicated a desire to continue the print edition. 

The situation is still developing, and it’s unclear how it will ultimately resolve.

On Thursday, Sports Illustrated employees were told during a meeting that the magazine would cease publishing its print edition after its May issue, according to Steve Janisse, a spokesman for Manoj Bhargava, the businessman whose handpicked leadership team effectively operates the publication. But that message runs counter to what SI’s owner, Authentic Brands Group, has said about looking for a way to ensure that the magazine endures in print, reports The NY Times

The NY Post reports the move comes as Bhargava, the 5-hour Energy founder and Arena’s largest shareholder, seeks to renegotiate the three years left on the original 10-year, $150 million deal with Authentic owner Jamie Salter.