No. Sports Illustrated did not stop publishing altogether: its print magazine and digital coverage continued after a major change in publisher in 2024. The confusion came from layoffs and uncertainty over the brand’s publishing rights, not a permanent end to the magazine.
Here’s what happened, who publishes the magazine now, and how print issues differ from the stories on SI.com. You’ll also find practical ways to check whether a subscription or issue you’re looking for is still available.
Did sports illustrated stop publishing, or did its publisher change?
The magazine did not permanently shut down. The main change was who handled publishing. Sports Illustrated’s brand is owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG), while another company manages the editorial and publishing operation under a licensing agreement.
In early 2024, the arrangement involving the Arena Group became uncertain, and reports of staff cuts raised concerns that the magazine might disappear. Later that year, Minute Media reached a publishing agreement with ABG. The change in operator created headlines, but it did not mean the publication itself had ended.
This distinction matters: owning a media brand and publishing its content are separate jobs. A company can own the name and license it to another company, which then runs the website, produces the magazine, or handles other publishing work.
Why did people think Sports Illustrated was shutting down?
The rumors followed a period of visible upheaval. In 2024, uncertainty around the publishing license and reported job cuts made the future of the newsroom look unclear. Because print magazines depend on staff, production, distribution, and advertising working together, those developments understandably prompted questions about whether new issues would appear.
There was also a long-running shift in how readers use the publication. Many people encounter SI through its website, newsletters, or social media rather than a physical issue. That can make it difficult to tell whether the print edition has stopped, even when it is still being produced.
These are related but different questions:
- Did the publisher or operator change? Yes. The publishing arrangement changed, with Minute Media taking over the publishing rights under an agreement with ABG.
- Did the brand disappear? No. The Sports Illustrated name and its digital presence continued.
- Did print stop for good? No. Print publishing continued; changes in staffing and operations were not the same as a permanent closure.
When you see a headline about a company losing a license or cutting jobs, check whether it says the publication itself ceased. Those events can affect who makes the magazine without ending the title.
What still gets published under the Sports Illustrated name?
The brand appears across several formats. They serve different purposes, so finding content online does not necessarily tell you whether a print issue is available, and a magazine subscription does not automatically mean every digital feature is included.
| Format | What you’ll find | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Print magazine | Physical issues featuring sports reporting, photography, profiles, and other editorial content. | Readers who collect or prefer a paper magazine. |
| SI.com | Online sports news, features, commentary, and coverage across sports. | Readers looking for timely stories and web-based coverage. |
| Digital magazine access | Electronic access to magazine content, depending on the product and subscription terms. | Readers who want magazine-style reading without a mailed copy. |
| Archives and back issues | Older stories or physical editions, where available through archives or sellers. | Readers searching for a past article, cover, or collectible issue. |
Availability can differ by product and over time. A current website article, a digital replica of a print issue, and a mailed magazine are not interchangeable. Check the description of the specific subscription or issue before paying.
Is Sports Illustrated still a print magazine?
Yes. Print publishing continued after the 2024 change in operator. However, the frequency and availability of a magazine can differ from what long-time readers remember, so don’t assume that older descriptions of its schedule or subscription service still apply.
The magazine’s history can add to the confusion. Sports Illustrated was long known for frequent print issues, but its print schedule changed over time as the business shifted toward digital publishing. A change in how often a magazine comes out is not the same as stopping publication altogether.
If you want the print edition, look for a current subscription page that clearly identifies the print product, delivery terms, and renewal details. If you are seeking one specific issue, search by its cover date or subject rather than assuming a general subscription includes back issues.
How to check a subscription or find a specific issue
Use these steps before starting a subscription or ordering an old copy. They help you avoid confusing a digital product with a mailed magazine or treating an archived story as a current issue.
- Identify what you want. Decide whether you need the current print magazine, online reporting, a digital issue, or a past physical copy.
- Read the product description. Confirm whether the offer includes print delivery, digital access, or both. Check the listed billing and renewal terms.
- Check the publisher named on the current offer. Publishing and fulfillment arrangements can change. Use the contact or account information provided with the specific subscription rather than relying on an old email or third-party listing.
- For a past issue, search by date or cover subject. A retailer, magazine seller, or library archive may have older copies or scans, but availability varies.
- Keep confirmation details. Save the order confirmation and note whether it is for print or digital access. This makes it easier to resolve a missing issue or a renewal question.
Practical tip: If you already paid for a subscription before the publisher changed, check the account or customer-service details on your most recent confirmation. A change in publisher can affect where you manage delivery, even if the magazine continues.
Is the Sports Illustrated website still active?
Yes. SI.com continued publishing digital sports coverage after the print and licensing concerns surfaced. The site and the physical magazine are separate ways to access the brand’s journalism, and they may have different content, schedules, and subscription terms.
That separation explains a common misunderstanding: seeing new stories online does not prove that a print issue has shipped, just as receiving a magazine does not guarantee access to every online feature. Check the terms for the product you want instead of relying on the brand name alone.
It is also useful to distinguish current reporting from archive material. A page that remains online may be an older article, while a recent date on the site may belong to a web story rather than a new print edition.
What to know before buying a subscription or collectible
If you are buying a current subscription, make sure the offer states the format and delivery details plainly. Read renewal information before entering payment details, especially if the offer comes from a retailer or a page you found through an old search result.
For collectibles, confirm that the seller is offering the actual printed issue, not a reproduction, digital file, or cover image. Ask about condition and shipping, and check that the date or cover matches the issue you want. Sports magazine listings can use similar descriptions for very different products.
For an article you remember reading, try searching its headline, author, or subject on the website before purchasing a back issue. The story may still be available online, which can save you the effort and cost of tracking down a physical copy.
Sports Illustrated did not simply vanish: its print and digital publishing continued, despite a turbulent change in the company responsible for publishing it. The key is to separate the brand’s ownership from the publisher and from the format you want.
If you’re looking for a subscription or a particular issue, verify whether the offer is print, digital, or archival before ordering. For an existing subscription, use the account and contact details on your latest confirmation to check delivery or renewal status.