The AFL-CIO released a joint statement on Monday alongside the labor unions representing seven U.S. sports leagues backing members of the Sports Illustrated Union. At the time of the layoffs, Front Office Sports reported that Arena had missed a $3.75 million payment that broke the company’s deal with Authentic Brands Group, which licenses SI to Arena. The company has since filed a lawsuit alongside the NewsGuild of New York against The Arena Group citing allegations of union busting