The ownership history of Sports Illustrated is a complex narrative involving brand management firms and digital media companies. To understand who controls this iconic publication, one must distinguish between the owner of the intellectual property and the publisher responsible for daily operations.
Table of contents
Authentic Brands Group: The Brand Owner
The core ownership of the Sports Illustrated brand rests with Authentic Brands Group (ABG). ABG is a global brand development, marketing, and entertainment platform. They acquired the rights to the Sports Illustrated brand in 2019 following a series of corporate transitions. As the parent company, Authentic Brands Group retains the trademark and intellectual property rights, effectively acting as the brand’s long-term landlord.
Minute Media: The Current Publisher
While ABG owns the brand, the day-to-day operations, editorial direction, and publishing responsibilities are handled by Minute Media. In a transformational deal finalized in 2024, Minute Media entered into a long-term partnership with ABG to take over the publishing rights.
Key Responsibilities of Minute Media:
- Managing the editorial operations for Sports Illustrated.
- Overseeing the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit brand.
- Directing the content for Sports Illustrated Kids.
- Handling both digital and print platform distribution.
Historical Context
The journey to the current structure involved several notable chapters. The magazine was originally launched by Time Inc. in 1954. In 2018, it was acquired by Meredith Publishing during their purchase of Time Inc. However, Meredith’s tenure was brief, as they sold the brand’s intellectual property to Authentic Brands Group shortly thereafter. This shift marked a move away from traditional magazine publishing models toward a model where the brand is licensed to specialized media operators.
This partnership between Authentic Brands Group and Minute Media represents a strategic evolution for the publication. By leveraging Minute Media’s technology and sports content expertise, the brand aims to maintain its legacy while adapting to the digital-first landscape of modern sports journalism. Today, the magazine continues to reach audiences under this collaborative framework, balancing the heritage of a storied institution with the agility of a modern media company.
