In a stunning turn of events, the NewsGuild of New York and Sports Illustrated Union have taken legal action against The Arena Group following the recent mass layoffs at Sports Illustrated. The unions have accused the company of unfair labor practices, including terminating employees based on their support for the union and engaging in union activities.

The legal action, in the form of an unfair labor practice charge, highlights the unions' belief that The Arena Group is using the dispute over the SI license as a pretext to unlawfully target union members. Susan DeCarava, the president of The NewsGuild of New York, described the situation as an "engineered dispute" and emphasized that the charge filed with the National Labor Relations Board is just the first step in their efforts to support their membership.

Adding to the conflict, Ross Levinsohn, a member of The Arena Group's board, has recently resigned, citing concerns over the dismantling of Sports Illustrated's renowned newsroom and "union busting tactics." This resignation serves as another indication of the contentious atmosphere surrounding the layoffs.

The press release issued by the unions also sheds light on the details of the layoffs. On January 19, every member of the SI union received notice of their impending dismissal due to the revocation of The Arena Group's license to publish Sports Illustrated content. Curiously, supervisors and managers at the publication have been spared from the layoffs, raising questions about the motives behind these decisions.

Despite the upheaval caused by the layoffs, it seems that Sports Illustrated's digital operation is still functioning, with new content appearing on SI.com attributed to actual authors. This development contradicts initial speculations that the digital platform would cease to exist following the mass layoffs.

Observers are now left wondering about the true intentions behind these recent events. While it is unclear why the layoffs were implemented, it appears that the company may have aimed to diminish its unionized workforce. However, the circumstances surrounding the ongoing legal actions raise concerns about the handling of the situation, prompting questions about the company's public relations strategy.

As the legal battle unfolds, both Sports Illustrated and The Arena Group will face scrutiny over their treatment of employees and adherence to labor laws. The outcome of the legal action will likely have significant implications for the future of Sports Illustrated and its relationship with its workforce.