Reuters had reported that Bridgeman's deal for SI could be announced by the end of the yearNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Former NBAer Junior Bridgeman's exclusive negotiating window to buy SI "has lapsed," and another bidder is "believed to have surfaced," according to the Louisville Courier-Journal's Tim Sullivan. The sale of the magazine "seems near its end," though it has "seemed that way for months." The news comes after Reuters reported Bridgeman was in the "final stages" to buy the magazine for $150M. Bridgeman said, "There is nothing new. Not sure why they said that" (TWITTER.com, 12/8). REUTERS' O'Donnell & Baker in the initial report cited sources as saying that Bridgeman has lined up "acquisition financing" for SI. The sources added that if Bridgeman's effort is successful, a deal announcement "could come by the end of the year." A source said that one part of the deal "still being hashed out in the negotiations is the outsourcing agreements related to printing and paper costs of the magazine." O'Donnell & Baker noted Bridgeman closing on the deal "would be the latest example of a wealthy individual taking over a storied media brand that has declined in profitability and influence since its peak years" (REUTERS, 12/7).
WARRIORS NAMED SPORTSPERSONS OF YEAR: SI has named the Warriors as its ’18 Sportspersons of the Year, marking the fourth full team to receive the honor. The others were the ’80 U.S. men’s hockey team, the ’99 U.S. women’s national soccer team, and the ’04 Red Sox. The recognition was made primarily due to its ’17-18 season that concluded with an NBA Finals sweep of the Cavaliers, further establishing the team’s dominance in the sport. But SI Group Senior VP & Editorial Dir Chris Stone also said the honor seeks to recognize the Warriors’ overall dynasty over the last half decade, one that includes three NBA titles, four trips to the Finals, and a clear recognition of the team as one of the sport industry’s most progressive and forward-thinking organizations. Stone said, “The Warriors are truly a generational team. We’ve had some other generational teams over the years, but I can’t think of one where the sum of the parts was so sublime. The pieces there all blend so seamlessly, and it’s not just the players but really the entire operation.” The Warriors’ Sportsperson profile in SI’s Dec. 17-24 double issue features not only star players such as G Stephen Curry and F Kevin Durant, but also coach Steve Kerr, President of Basketball Operations & GM Bob Myers, President & COO Rick Welts and co-Owner Joe Lacob. SI is shifting its Sportsperson of the Year award ceremony this year from its usual locale in N.Y. to L.A., where it will be held tomorrow night. The event will be taped and shown Thursday on NBCSN (Eric Fisher, THE DAILY).
