Who Owns Sports Illustrated?

Sports Illustrated was founded in 1954 by Henry Luce, the founder of Time Inc. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for media entertainment solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the media entertainment category for generations. The first issue was published on August 16, 1954, marking the entry of Time Inc. into the sports magazine market. The magazine was created to provide comprehensive sports coverage with the same journalistic standards as Time's other publications. This strategic positioning demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to create differentiated media entertainment solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Sports Illustrated established itself as America's premier sports magazine, known for its in-depth reporting, iconic photography, and annual swimsuit issue, which became a cultural phenomenon. This period of excellence demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple media entertainment segments. The magazine expanded its coverage to include professional and college sports, athlete profiles, and sports journalism. This strategic diversification demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the media entertainment industry.

In 2018, Meredith Corporation acquired Time Inc., including Sports Illustrated, as part of a $2.8 billion deal. This continued evolution demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and technological advancements. However, Meredith's ownership was short-lived as the company sought to focus on its core lifestyle publications. This continued excellence demonstrates Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the sports-media industry.

In 2019, Authentic Brands Group acquired Sports Illustrated from Meredith Corporation, marking ABG's entry into sports media. This continued evolution demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing media entertainment requirements and corporate dynamics. Under ABG's ownership, Sports Illustrated has transitioned to a licensing model, with publishing rights granted to various media partners while ABG focuses on brand development and licensing opportunities. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of sports-media and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the sports-media industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of sports-media and consumer-focused media entertainment solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct media entertainment identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing media entertainment dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Sports Illustrated's exceptional ability to integrate into larger media entertainment corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the sports-media industry.