Sports Illustrated Faces Uncertain Future as Publisher Plans Layoffs

The publisher of Sports Illustrated plans to lay off most or all of the iconic brand's staff, putting its future in doubt, according to the union that represents workers at the venerable magazine.

"Earlier today the workers of Sports Illustrated were notified that The Arena Group is planning to lay off a significant number, possibly all, of the Guild-represented workers at SI," the union representing most of the publication's employees said on Friday. It called on the publisher to ensure the continued publication of the nearly 70-year media brand.

"We have fought together as a union to maintain the standard of this storied publication that we love, and to make sure our workers are treated fairly for the value they bring to this company. It is a fight we will continue," Mitch Goldich, NFL editor and unit chair at The NewsGuild of New York, said in the labor group's statement.

Pink slips were given to the publication's entire staff, according to Front Office, which first reported the news.

Arena Group Announces Workforce Reductions in Strategic Move to Transform the Business Model

The Arena Group on Thursday announced it was making a significant reduction in the company's workforce, saying the company held substantial debt and recently missed payments.

This story is developing and will be updated.