Sports Illustrated Union Statement on SI Leadership Change

We have fought tirelessly over the last year to secure the future of our proud publication, while continuing to produce the quality journalism for which Sports Illustrated is known. During that time, Maven has gutted our staff and implemented an exploitative contributor model, undermining our editorial values and threatening our ability to uphold our high standard of work. We hope today’s change in leadership can be the start of an improved relationship with management—and a better direction for Sports Illustrated. We look forward to working together to address the many pressing issues central to our future, including:

• Negotiating a fair contract that includes just cause provisions, ensures an equitable working environment, and provides the protections and benefits we have held under previous operators.
• Rebuilding our newsroom to support future growth while addressing our stark lack of diversity, and committing to no more layoffs at SI.
• Ending Maven's reliance on underpaid contractors, who operate without sufficient editorial oversight, for its network of team sites. As long as this network remains, editorial standards must be implemented.

Our independent, difference-making work has never been more important, and we will continue in our mission to preserve and strengthen SI’s distinguished voice in sports journalism.