Des Moines Register: Sports Illustrated employees pleaded for help from Des Moines-based Meredith Corp. before half the magazine’s staff was cut Thursday. Earlier this summer, Meredith sold Sports Illustrated to Authentic Brands Group for a reported $110 million, but continued to produce the magazine and online editorial content. On Thursday, Authentic Brands Group officially transferred Sports Illustrated’s editorial operations from Meredith to theMaven Inc., a Seattle-based media network.