The most popular sports magazine is Sports Illustrated. This weekly magazine provides all the latest information on any sport you can imagine. From team schedules, to game reviews, interviews with coaches and players, trades, and controversial issues of the game, it can all be found in this magazine. The first issue of Sports Illustrated hit the market in 1954, featuring the Milwaukee Braves player Eddie Mathews taking a swing at a baseball.
Sports illustrated magazine almost didn’t go into production. Two similar sports magazines couldn’t make it. One shut down in the 1930’s, the other in the 1940’s. Henry Luce believed his magazine could fill a need in the market, but he had a difficult time getting investors to back it because of the history of other such magazines. There was also the believe that serious news writers did not cover sports. Luce held tight to his dream. Things looked very grim in the beginning, but then the economy improved, sports became more popular, and televised sports sparked interest and curiosity in potential readers. Sports Illustrated grew, and it has become one of the most prosperous magazines ever.
The magazine has grown tremendously since then. Today over 23 million people read it every week, 3 million have a subscription to the magazine. The majority of the readers are male, up to 18 million. Sports Illustrated is the only magazine with a circulation of 1 million or more to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence twice.
Sports Illustrated magazine has not been without its controversy. In 1964, the first swimsuit issue was released. This sparked heated debates in homes all over
America as men waited impatiently for their issue. Many choose this time to subscribe to the magazine as back then that was the only way you got one. It wasn’t sold as a separate issue like it is today.
Many organizations of Churches and women’s rights felt the issue was degrading and had absolutely nothing at all to do with sports. As the years passed, the debate continued. Mainly because the issues became more sexual as the swimsuits left very little to the imagination. Today, this is one of the top selling annual magazines in the world. The swimsuit issue is an event that now merits its own TV show, videos, and calendars.
Sports Illustrated continues to be the top selling sports magazine. It is continually adding new features and exciting twists to remain fresh and unpredictable. This magazine makes a great gift for the sports fan in your life. They will appreciate the sports news and information, and most men definitely enjoy getting that great swimsuit issue each year!