CNN to scrap struggling sports network, replace it with new cable network

ATLANTA - CNN plans to scrap the struggling CNN-Sports Illustrated and replace it with a new cable network, which will be operated with the NBA. <br> <br> About 200 people work for CNN-SI, but it is not clear how many positions will be eliminated. It could be the largest number since CNN eliminated the jobs of 400 employees a year ago in a 10 percent across-the-board reduction. <br> <br> Steve Robinson, general manager of CNN-SI, told staff members of the decision Wednesday. <br> <br> The 5-year-old network has never made a profit. It is available in about 20 million households, half what executives say is needed to be consistently profitable. <br> <br> AOL Time Warner, which owns CNN, has been in negotiations with the National Basketball Association about building on the remains of CNN-SI to create a jointly owned network. <br> <br> The network&#39;s focus would be on sports events rather than sports news. It would air several live NBA games a week, as well as archived games and other programming. <br> <br> <br>