Roughly five full-time SI editorial staffers have been laid off as part of a broader round of editorial cutbacks at parent Time Inc. Among those let go were NFL writer Don Banks and college football writer and investigative reporter Thayer Evans (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer). DEADSPIN's Kevin Draper cites sources as saying that in addition to the full-time employees being laid off, roughly another 10 people "either took buyouts or were not on full time contracts." Exec Editor B.J. Schecter is "leaving SI by mutual agreement," while Nick Forrester updated his Twitter bio to read, "Sports reporter for hire. Former @CampusRush producer, @SINow writer" (DEADSPIN.com, 8/23). POLITICO's Joe Pompeo noted Time Inc. is "laying off a few dozen editorial employees in a round of cuts" that began last Thursday and is expected to wrap today. Sources said that the cuts are "roughly evenly distributed across Time Inc’s two-dozen or so U.S. titles," which include SI, Time, Fortune, People, Entertainment Weekly and InStyle. A source "pegged the total at around 40, which is in addition to the 110 positions that were eliminated a few weeks ago within sales and marketing" (POLITICO.com, 8/22).
OF GOOD CONSCIENCE: THE MMQB's Peter King addressed Banks' departure, writing, "It's that kind of business right now, where supremely talented writers are endangered, and I have sorrow for him and his family as he figures what to do next in life." He added, "Whoever gets to work with him next will be exceedingly fortunate" (MMQB.SI.com, 8/22).
