Taylor Hassa
Staff Writer
It is just about that time of year again, and by that time of year I mean the time when the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is released.
The Swimsuit Edition of Sports Illustrated grosses between $23 and $24 million for the magazine. It is an issue that people either absolutely love or hate.
Critics argue that the magazine is pornographic and one can see this side of things, especially when looking at the 2014 cover photo that was just recently released.
The photo consists of not the traditional one model, but three half-naked models getting a little touchy with each other. The three models are Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen.
This issue is known for having a single model on the front cover, but this year they have changed things up quite a bit.
Not only is more than one model featured, but also none of these models are sponsored like the big-name models that are usually front and center on the cover. For these three models, this is a once-in-a-lifetime break, and it is shocking that Sports Illustrated did this.
This issue of the magazine costs Sports Illustrated quite a bit more than regular issues. This is because they have to fly photographers, models and staff to the tropical destinations for the photo shoots.
Last year I had the privilege of interviewing a couple of editors from Sports Illustrated. Mark Mulvoy, editor until 1996, told me that the magazine needed to, “spend money to make money,” and the profit the magazine made off this single issue was well worth the little expenses.
When the Swimsuit Edition hits news stands it booms.
All different walks of people pick up this issue. Men pick it up because the models are beautiful and they are half naked, while women purchase the issue to look at the pretty suits and appreciate the fashion and photography.
Even though this issue is greatly criticized, one can’t flip through it without admiring the beauty within the pages. It is a really cool issue with an interesting history. Be sure to pick one up and check it out – it will be worth your while.