Sports Illustrated
Iconic sports magazine and media brand.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Authentic Brands Group2019-05-01
What Made It Great
The authoritative voice of sports journalism and photography.
What PE Will Likely Do
Significant newsroom layoffs, resulting in reduced editorial staff and less in-depth sports coverage
Consolidation of SI's online content with other Authentic Brands Group media properties, leading to a loss of the magazine's unique voice and perspective
Implementation of a stricter paywall, limiting free access to SI's high-quality sports journalism and photography
Reduction in the print edition's frequency or even the complete elimination of the print magazine
Cutbacks on investigative sports journalism, focusing more on quick, low-cost content
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Acquisition announced, promises of 'investment' followed by first round of layoffs and 'restructuring' announced
“6 to 12 months months”
Print schedule reduced, more content cuts, and implementation of a stricter paywall
“12 to 24 months months”
Quality of sports coverage noticeably declines, reader complaints increase, and the iconic Sports Illustrated brand presence in the market starts to erode
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Subscribe to Sports Illustrated's print edition and support high-quality sports journalism while it is still available
Provide feedback to the magazine's editors and owners about the importance of maintaining the publication's journalistic integrity and authority
Explore alternative sports media sources that prioritize in-depth, investigative reporting if the quality of Sports Illustrated's coverage declines
Alternatives
Look for family-owned or employee-owned businesses