Sports Illustrated planning significant layoffs after license to use its brand name was revoked

The publisher of Sports Illustrated has notified employees that it plans significant layoffs after its license to use the iconic brand’s name was revoked. In an email to employees Friday morning, the Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated and related properties, said that Authentic Brands Group has revoked its marketing license. Sports Illustrated’s employee union said in a statement that the layoffs would be a significant number and possibly all, of the NewsGuild workers represented.