Though it's no stranger to commercial woes, Sports Illustrated's possible demise is a heartbreaking chapter in the world of journalism. The world-leading magazine — which informed the world about legends including Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean — is more than just a sports publication; it's an inclusivity champion that prioritizes crucial issues, such as race, sexuality, and class. It can't be replaced.
Sports Illustrated was successful for 70 years for two reasons and two reasons only: it wrote about sports and put attractive women on the cover. Since it decided to become a social justice magazine in recent years, former subscribers understandably dropped the publication from their reading list. Its current predicament should come as no surprise.