In a recent legal action, Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Sports Illustrated, has sued Manoj Bhargava, the owner of Arena Group, for $48.75 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges that Bhargava infringed on Sports Illustrated’s copyrights and trademarks, leading to legal action against him.
The change in ownership has caused some temporary confusion as Minute Media took over control of Sports Illustrated and SI.com. As a result, Albert Breer’s NFL articles appeared on Athlon Sports’ website. However, former Arena Group employees are expected to move to Minute Media and return to SI.com soon.
The situation is unfortunate for those involved in the corporate shuffle and for those who remember the heyday of Sports Illustrated when it was a dominant force in the industry. The strong presence of Sports Illustrated in the past makes this current legal battle and transition all the more disappointing for those who have fond memories of the iconic publication. With Minute Media taking over, there is hope for a return to stability and renewed success for Sports Illustrated in the future.