This is just another thread in a long, troubling trend.

“There was a decision made through the company to restructure various departments, including at Sports Illustrated. Unfortunately economic circumstances are such that it has cut the six staff photographers.”

Like most print and online media that make this move, Sports Illustrated will still have pictures. They’ll just be taken by free-lance photographers. Which means 1099 labor. Another source of benefits dries up right in front of us.

According to a source at Time-Life the layoffs will be effective in March, possibly on differing dates for specific photographers due to their individual agreements with the company. But because of this, the laid-off photographers will still be shooting the upcoming Super Bowl together for the magazine.

Talk about bittersweet moments. Their last big hurrah. Sad.