Parade Media (previously known as AMG/Parade and Athlon Media Group) is a publisher founded in 1967 that is based in Nashville, Tennessee.[1][2][3][4] Nashville's Spencer Hays was its majority stockholder.[5][6][7] It was purchased by The Arena Group in 2022 and now operates as a subsidiary of The Arena Group.[8]
 Logo prior to 2022 | |
| Founded | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Headquarters location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Key people | Spencer Hays (majority owner) |
| Publication types | Magazines |
| Official website | www |
Athlon Sports
editAthlon is best known for publishing preseason single-title sports annuals on professional and college sports. The annuals are sold at newsstands in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.[1] It is the U.S.'s largest publisher of sports annuals,[6] ranking Number 1 in retail sales dollars and magazines sold.[1]
Athlon's 15 sports magazines include Athlon Sports Monthly, Pro Football, Fantasy Football, National College Football, Southeastern Football, Atlantic Coast Football, Big Ten Football, Big 12 Football, Big East Football, Pac-10 Football, Baseball, College Basketball, Pro Basketball, Racing and Golf.[1][9][10] Athlon's digital properties include AthlonSports.com, which has daily coverage of the sports it covers.[1]
On October 1, 2022, it was announced that Athlon Sports would be discontinuing its special magazines due to its merger with Sports Illustrated. The new special magazines will be released in the Sports Illustrated manner.[citation needed] The merger was undone in 2024 with Sports Illustrated owner Authentic Brands Group revoking The Arena Group's license to use the Sports Illustrated brand and transferring it to Minute Media;[11][12] The Arena Group's sports content, which was being published under the SI banner at the time, moved to a revived Athlon Sports website.
History
editIn February 2006, it acquired Grogans Sports Information Inc., a fantasy sports publisher based in Littleton, Colorado, that publishes Grogans Fantasy Football Analyst in-season scouting reports.[9]
In June 2010, Athlon Sports Communications appointed Anthony Flaccavento as publisher for Athlon Sports magazine.[13] Athlon Sports is a monthly publication that launched in October 2010.[1][14] Athlon Sports began with a circulation of seven million and grew to nine million in 2011.[1]
In 2013, Athlon acquired the print rights to three magazines distributed as newspaper inserts: American Profile, Relish, and Spry. Athlon did not develop the associated websites and later launched the companion website Community Table.[15] In 2014, Athlon acquired Parade from Advance Publications.[16]
In 2016, Athlon acquired the titles of Harris Publications, which had been shut down.[17]
Athlon Sports, as well as Tom James Co, an affiliated company, have been accused of racism by several employees who complain of an extremely religious, right-wing and racist atmosphere.[18]
In August 2023, Manoj Bhargava announced that he would be merging his Bridge Media Networks (the owner of NewsNet) with The Arena Group, bringing Parade Media under his majority control.[19]
Publications
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Who Is Athlon". AthlonSports.com. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ The Alcalde. March 2001. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ Shelly Field (2010). Career Opportunities in the Sports Industry. Facts On File, Incorporated. ISBN 9781438129754. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ Joseph Favorito (2012). Sports Publicity. Routledge. ISBN 9781136364266. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ Judy Sarles (March 19, 2000). "Suit targets clothier's religious climate". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "An American original". Forbes. December 1, 1997. Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ Geert De Lombaerde (December 7, 2011). "Athlon CEO steps down". Nashville Post. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ TheStreet Staff. "The Arena Group Closes Purchase of AMG/Parade". TheStreet. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Athlon buys fantasy sports publisher Grogans". Nashville Business Journal. February 8, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ "Virginia Tech's Allison Tallman a finalist in Athlon Sideline Spirit Contest; Winner to be featured in 2005 Athlon Sports College Football Preview". hokiesports.com. November 30, 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ Perez, A.J. (January 19, 2024). "Sports Illustrated's Publisher Lays Off Entire Staff. Future Unclear". Front Office Sports. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ Mullin, Benjamin (March 18, 2024). "A New Chapter for Sports Illustrated, With Plans to Keep Print". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Dan Hieb (June 14, 2010). "Athlon Sports hires publisher". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
- ^ "Athlon Sports Launches as Largest Sports Magazine in the U.S. With 7MM Circulation", October 15, 2010
- ^ "Athlon Acquires Rights to Publish American Profile, Relish, Spry Magazines".
- ^ "Athlon Acquires 'Parade,' Consolidates Newspaper-Distributed Magazine Market". www.mediapost.com.
- ^ Harris Magazines Find New Life as Athlon Newspaper Offerings
- ^ Judy, Sarles (May 19, 2000). "Suit targets clothier's religious climate". www.bizjournals.com. Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ Venta, Lance (August 14, 2023). "5-Hour Energy Founder Expands Media Holdings Including Audacy & Cumulus Stakes - RadioInsight". Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ AMG Lifestyle Store
- ^ "AMG/Parade Titles".
- ^ Athlon Outdoors Store