How The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Became Bigger Than The Magazine Itself

10 Facts About the Business of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue [BI] I know you're all holding your breaths for the unveiling of the new Sports Illustrated cover next Monday (cough, Winkevii). And I thought this may be of some interest to you. The Swimsuit issue is a multi-million dollar business that is bigger than the magazine that spawned it:
Since its debut in 1964, SI has moved beyond print, expanding into digital subscriptions, videos, a Twitter feed, talk-show appearances, and for the first time this year, a two-day music festival.
[Irina Shayk via] Some of the top facts: -The first Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition debuted on January 20, 1964, as a five page supplement. It was designed to increase readership during the winter lull between popular sports seasons. -In 1997, swimsuit edition received special-issue status and has since become the single best-selling issue in Times Inc.'s magazine franchise. -The swimsuit issue traditionally sells more than 1 million copies on newsstands. -In 2005, the swimsuit issue brought in an estimated $35 million in ad sales. Today it generates 7% of Sports Illustrated's annual revenue, according to SI editor Terry McDonnell. 2012 Cover Model Short List Revealed [CoedMagazine] -Brooklyn Decker -Cintia Dicker -Esti Ginzburg -Genevieve Morton - Hilary Rhoda - Jessica Perez - Jessica White - Julie Henderson - Kate Upton Word on the street is that the front runners are: Julie Henderson Kate Upton
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