2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
Sports Illustrated, the world’s most iconic sports publication, has been saved. Asaf Peled’s Minute Media signed a new ten year deal for the magazine’s publishing rights with its owner Authentic Brands Group. Financial terms of the new deal have not yet been disclosed.
The news comes just days after the Arena Group, which currently runs Sports Illustrated’s operations, threatened to cease the magazine’s publication in May over a licensing dispute with Authentic Brands.
Authentic Brands bought Sports Illustrated in 2019
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Minute Media was founded in 2011 in Israel by Asaf Peled and has a portfolio that includes 6 global sports and entertainment brands, including Players’ Tribune and The Big Lead. In January Minute Media acquired STN Video, an Online Video Platform for publishers that care about user experience, content and monetization.
“Sports Illustrated is the gold standard for sports journalism and has been for nearly 70 years across both print and digital media. The weight and power of that distinction cannot be understated,” said Asaf Peled, Founder and CEO of Minute Media. “At Minute Media, our focus will be to take that legacy into new, emerging channels enhancing visibility, commercial viability and sustainable impact, all while ensuring that the SI team is inspired to flourish in this new era of media.”
“In the current era of digital, it’s still not trivial and quite difficult to build your own brand and get people to know and admire it,” Asaf Peled told the New York Times. “So once you get the opportunity to work with and grow an iconic brand like Sports Illustrated, you take it.”
It is too soon to tell if Sports Illustrated (SI) will survive given that all print media has been dying since the advent of the World Wide Wed. One group, however, is optimistic – SI employees.
Their union issued a statement saying, “With today’s news that Minute Media will be taking over as publisher of Sports Illustrated, SI’s unionized journalists say they welcome the change and look forward to remaining part of the storied brand’s future.”
But what “branding” does Sports Illustrated still offer these days? It has gone the way of all print media.
Sports Illustrated, affectionately known as SI, has been gracing newsstands and coffee tables with gripping sports stories and stunning photography for over 65 years. Its journey is fascinating, filled with unexpected turns, cultural impact, and unwavering dedication to the world of athletics.
In the 1950s, Henry Luce, the media mogul behind Time and Life magazines, saw the potential for a new kind of sports publication. He envisioned a magazine that combined in-depth reporting, captivating writing, and high-quality photography to elevate sports journalism to a new level.
The 1990s saw the rise of ESPN and other cable sports networks, along with the burgeoning internet, which challenged Sports Illustrated’s dominance in sports media. The magazine adapted by launching its own website and diversifying its content to include more opinion pieces, humor, and human-interest stories.
The Sports Illustrated legacy is undeniable. It revolutionized sports journalism, introduced millions to the beauty and drama of athletics, and played a significant role in shaping sports history. But does it have a future?
