• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot
exclusive
Media

Grant Wahl and Maven CEO Clash Over Sports Illustrated Departure

  • Wahl, a Sports Illustrated soccer writer for 24 years, said he was suddenly laid off with no severance by new SI publisher The Maven.
  • Maven CEO James Heckman countered a “me-first’ Wahl refused to cut his $350,000 salary during advertising downturn.
mls_logo_on_adidas_soccer_ball
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The chief executive of Sports Illustrated publisher The Maven took aim at writer Grant Wahl after he publicly announced he’d been laid off with no severance.

In an internal memo obtained by Front Office Sports, Maven CEO James Heckman claimed Wahl was the only SI staffer to refuse a pay cut in the face of falling ad revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Heckman claimed Wahl had a “me-first” attitude. Earlier on Friday, Wahl tweeted: “Maven just fired me from Sports Illustrated. No severance. Nothing.”

Heckman sought to explain his actions to staff in an internal memo Friday.

“As part of the multi-faceted cost-containment strategy we unveiled last week in the face of coronavirus-driven declines in advertising revenue, a $4 million reduction in compensation was enacted across senior leaders and high-salary members of our team. This move helped limit layoffs to 9 percent of our workforce and we believe saved at least 30 jobs. Every senior staff member volunteered to put their personal budgeted future at risk, to save jobs and ensure stable salaries for those making less. Everyone, that is, but one person,” wrote Heckman. 

“This person made more than $350,000 last year to infrequently write stories that generated little meaningful viewership or revenue. Yet he trumpeted that he thought it shameful to be asked to participate in helping his fellow workers. To complain about a personal pay reduction when 31 others had just lost their jobs is incomprehensible in light of the sacrifices others made to help limit layoffs and maintain livable salaries for our staff. Such a me-first attitude is not part of the tradition and culture Maven is committed to maintaining,” he continued.

Heckman concluded by saying Wahl’s salary would be directed into severance pay and health benefits for employees recently laid off by SI.

Wahl, an internationally recognized soccer reporter, recently spoke out on social media against the downsizing of SI under Maven management. He wrote the new owners had already slashed his salary by 30%

“Who would take advantage of a pandemic to permanently reduce someone’s salary beyond that pandemic? Maven and James Heckman would,” wrote Wahl, according to Awful Announcing.

In a follow-up tweet Friday afternoon, Wahl said that he told Maven, “I was fine taking a 30% pay cut during the pandemic. But it was shameful to try to push through a permanent 30% cut beyond the pandemic.” He also said that his “base salary was far below that, but I got a bonus because my bosses said my work was very good.” Wahl further contradicted the memo, also noting, “I write frequently.”

READ MORE: XFL Suspends Operations And Terminates Employees

Wahl has won numerous journalism awards during his 24 years at SI. He’s also the author of the book, “Masters of Modern Soccer: How the World’s Best Play the Twenty-First-Century Game.”

The Maven declined to comment Friday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; A general overall view of the NFL Network building adjacent to SoFi Stadium.
exclusive

ESPN Taking Over NFL Network’s Lease Near SoFi Stadium

The network is picking up a little real estate in its mega-deal.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the media before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards.
exclusive

Pagliuca Offer to Buy Sun Was Agreed to in July, Never Presented..

The exclusivity window expired, allowing for competing offers including Marc Lasry’s.
exclusive

MLS Commissioner On Apple TV Deal: Critics ‘Don’t Get It Yet’

“We’re just early,” Garber told FOS when pressed about the deal.
Leo Messi
exclusive

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Defends Messi Suspension

Messi was punished for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.

Featured Today

Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
Chad Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Settle $20 Million Defamation Suit 

It’s the second multimillion-dollar lawsuit Sharpe has settled in recent weeks.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Roman Reigns during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
August 6, 2025

ESPN Strikes $1.6 Billion Streaming Deal With WWE

WWE’s premium live events are migrating from NBC’s Peacock in 2026.
NFL Network host Kimmi Chex gives Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor a draft do-over during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Taylor was drafted in 2020 when the draft was held virtually due to COVID.
August 6, 2025

ESPN Reaches NFL Draft Rights Extension Following Mega-Deal

The network will continue to broadcast the draft through 2030, say sources.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
August 4, 2025

NFL’s Hall of Fame Game Draws 6.9M TV Viewers, Highest Since 2021

The Lions and Chargers played this year’s game in Canton, Ohio.
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.
July 30, 2025

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
July 30, 2025

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.
July 29, 2025

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.