Sports Illustrated Suddenly Axes Several Veteran Writers
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Sports Illustrated cut ties with several longtime writers on Friday as the company continued to reshape its newsroom during another round of layoffs.
Reports from Front Office Sports said the cuts affected around 10 to 15 employees. Among the most notable departures were columnist Mike Rosenberg, NFL writer Greg Bishop, and MLB writer Stephanie Apstein. The move marked another chapter in the long-running changes that have affected one of the most recognizable names in sports media.
Many of the writers shared personal emotions shortly after learning about the decision. Their messages showed both disappointment and gratitude for their years with the publication.
Writers Reflect On Their Time At SI
Apstein confirmed her departure in a post on X.
“Eight days shy of my 15th anniversary at Sports Illustrated, I’ve been informed that I’ve joined the extensive ranks of writers laid off from there,” she wrote. “I loved my time at SI, I’m very sad to see it end and I’m eager to do the best work of my career elsewhere. Thank you for reading.”
Bishop also addressed the news with a message that mixed humor and appreciation.
“When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was write cover stories for Sports Illustrated,” he wrote. “I loved every day I got to do that — for more than 12 years. I’m part of the layoffs today. Now I’m standing on the side of the highway, holding a cardboard sign. It says: WILL WRITE FOR FOOD.”
Rosenberg returned to X for the first time since December 2025 and shared his own lighthearted response.
“This morning, I had my favorite kind of meeting: a short one,” he wrote. “I was laid off during that meeting, but life is about tradeoffs, and look at me now, just a few hours later. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and I’m using this stupid website again.”
He also thanked Sports Illustrated for giving him the chance to fulfill a childhood dream. Rosenberg spent 14 years with the publication.
The layoffs came as Sports Illustrated continues to go through major changes. Its current owner, Minute Media, reportedly plans to cut about 12% of its global workforce.
Sports Illustrated has changed hands several times in recent years. Meredith Corporation took control of the magazine after buying Time Inc. In 2019, Authentic Brands Group acquired the Sports Illustrated brand and then licensed the publishing rights to The Arena Group.
However, Arena lost those rights in 2024 after missing a major payment. Minute Media later signed a 10-year agreement with Authentic Brands Group to publish the magazine.
