Yes—Sports Illustrated has come back as a published brand, and it did not disappear permanently. Its digital and print publishing rights moved to Minute Media in 2024 after a dispute over the previous publishing arrangement.
That does not mean the magazine simply returned to its former structure. The brand, its publisher, and the journalists who produce its coverage are separate pieces of the story. Here’s what changed, what readers can expect, and how to tell whether a particular issue or subscription offer is current.
Will Sports Illustrated come back as a magazine?
Yes, Sports Illustrated remains a publishing brand. In April 2024, brand owner Authentic Brands Group announced a long-term publishing agreement with Minute Media. The agreement covered Sports Illustrated’s digital operations and print magazine.
The change followed a period of uncertainty involving The Arena Group, which had previously published the magazine under a license. A license gives a publisher permission to use a brand; it does not mean that publisher owns the brand. When the arrangement changed, readers understandably wondered whether the title had ended for good.
The important distinction is that Sports Illustrated’s publishing rights changed hands, rather than the brand being permanently shut down. That is why the clearest answer is “yes,” with a qualification: its return is under a different publishing arrangement, not necessarily a restoration of the old operation in every detail.
What happened to Sports Illustrated?
Sports Illustrated was founded in 1954 and became known for sports reporting, photography, and long-form features. Over time, the business behind the publication changed, as did the way readers found its stories. A weekly print magazine became part of a larger mix of print, web, and digital media.
In 2019, Authentic Brands Group acquired the Sports Illustrated brand. The Arena Group later published the title under a licensing arrangement. In early 2024, a dispute over that arrangement raised questions about the magazine’s future and led to major uncertainty for staff and readers.
Minute Media’s agreement, announced in April 2024, gave the title a new publisher. Authentic Brands Group owns the brand; Minute Media publishes it under license. Those roles are different, and separating them clears up much of the confusion about whether Sports Illustrated was “sold” or “closed.”
What does the publisher change mean for readers?
A new publisher can keep a familiar title available while changing how its newsroom works, which stories it prioritizes, and how it reaches audiences. It does not automatically restore former staff positions or reproduce the magazine’s earlier editorial structure.
Readers can still look for Sports Illustrated coverage online and in print. But the frequency of print issues, the mix of articles, and the publication’s staffing may differ from what longtime subscribers remember. A continuing name does not guarantee an identical product.
It also helps to distinguish the brand’s survival from a full editorial revival. The brand can remain active even if specific sections, writers, or traditions have changed. If you are looking for a particular reporter or feature, check the publication itself rather than assuming it continued unchanged.
Who owns and publishes Sports Illustrated now?
Ownership and publishing are separate. Authentic Brands Group owns the Sports Illustrated name and related brand rights. Minute Media received the publishing rights announced in 2024, allowing it to operate the title’s digital and print publishing.
This arrangement is common in media: one company owns a name while another company produces the publication under a license. The owner controls the brand rights, while the publisher handles editorial and publishing operations according to the agreement.
That distinction matters if you see conflicting reports. A headline saying the magazine’s publisher changed does not necessarily mean the brand was sold. Likewise, brand ownership alone does not tell you which company is producing the latest issue or running the website.
How can you read Sports Illustrated now?
If you want to follow the publication, choose the format that suits you. The digital site is generally the most direct way to find current online coverage. A print subscription is a separate choice, so check the terms before paying.
- For current sports coverage: Visit SI.com and confirm that the page is the publication’s official site. This is the simplest option if you mainly read articles online.
- For a print issue: Use the magazine’s official subscription or issue-ordering information. Confirm the offer’s publisher, delivery terms, and cancellation policy before submitting payment.
- For a past story or issue: Search the site or a reputable library and magazine archive. Older editions may be available in digital collections, but access and completeness vary.
- For a specific writer: Search the writer’s name and verify their current affiliation. A publication’s name can continue even as its contributor list changes.
Be cautious with old subscription links, third-party listings, and social posts that repeat outdated information. A page may remain online after a publisher transition. Check that the offer clearly identifies the publication and explains who handles billing and delivery.
How the main Sports Illustrated options compare
| Option | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SI.com | Online articles and sports coverage | Readers who want convenient digital access |
| Print magazine | Physical issues, subject to current publishing and subscription terms | Readers who prefer a traditional magazine |
| Back issues and archives | Older stories or editions, depending on the collection | Research, collecting, or revisiting past coverage |
The right choice depends on what you mean by “come back.” If you want to know whether the name and publication are still available, the answer is yes. If you mean whether the magazine has returned exactly as it operated years ago, there is no reason to assume that from the name alone.
What people often misunderstand about the comeback
The most common misconception is that a publisher change means the title itself has either vanished or returned exactly as before. Neither conclusion necessarily follows. A magazine can continue under a new operator while its staff, schedule, and editorial approach evolve.
Another frequent mix-up is treating a brand owner and a publisher as interchangeable. Authentic Brands Group owns the Sports Illustrated brand, while Minute Media’s 2024 agreement covered publishing rights. Knowing which company does what makes reports about the magazine’s future easier to interpret.
Finally, “coming back” can mean different things to different readers: a print issue on a newsstand, a functioning website, familiar writers, or the old editorial identity. Check the specific thing you care about instead of relying on a broad headline. That small step helps avoid mistaken assumptions about subscriptions, staff, or content.
So, will sports illustrated come back? Yes: its publishing continued under a new arrangement, with Minute Media taking on publishing rights in 2024. The practical next step is to check SI.com or the publication’s official subscription information for the format and offer you want.
Keep in mind that a continuing brand does not guarantee the same staff or magazine experience as before. If you are considering a subscription, verify the current terms and delivery details before you pay.