I haven’t seen many images from the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit Issueâ„¢ today, but I did watch a little of this SI-shot video of cover model Bar Refaeli, via TMZ:
(SI marketing geniuses to consider selling ‘uncensored’ swimsuit feature?)Â
Over the years, SI has slowly forced the models into more revealing poses. First came models in thongs in the ’90s, and now we have full-blown implied nudity on virtually every page of the issue and SI.com.
With the progression of Sports Illustrated’s racy content, that can only mean one thing. I fully expect that we will see nudity in future Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issuesâ„¢.
When that will happen, no one knows, but I have great confidence in the folks at Time, Inc. They’ve proven they can mass market what would otherwise be regarded as softcore adult content to mainstream consumers and advertisers.
It’s an astonishing feat, and I have great admiration for anyone who can convince Southwest Airlines to display images of SI models, who are pictured as (implied) nude and wearing thongs in innumerable SI photo layouts, on its planes. Bravo!
SI has made hundreds of millions of dollars off its Swimsuitâ„¢ franchise, and you have to believe that the company wants to continue to up the financial return on the product.
I’m guessing at some point we’ll see an “uncensored” version of the annual feature, which will be accessible through a password-protected subscription service on SI.com.
But would that scare off those mainstream advertisers and users? Or increase market share?
Good question. I have a tendency to think that SI could get away with it. Much like you see PPV porn on hotel televisions and cable and satellite TV systems.
Don’t underestimate the folks at Time, Inc.!
7:57 pm on February 10th, 2009
I say keep pushing!
8:00 pm on February 10th, 2009
Skin is in!
8:12 pm on February 10th, 2009
I would have no problem if the swimsuit issue became all au natural.
8:14 pm on February 10th, 2009
If Playboy can be accepted as mainstream, then why shouldn't SI go nude?
8:21 pm on February 10th, 2009
Don't forget the recent rash of body painting. I know I won't.
8:24 pm on February 10th, 2009
Won't happen and for good reason. Walmart will ban the swimsuit issue if it has so little as one full frontal shot.
BTW, it may be a bit more difficult to get the swimsuit issue and not because of nudity. A major magazine distributor shut down last weekend with no warning.
8:34 pm on February 10th, 2009
If SI wants to double their sales, they can continue with their original PG-rated swimsuit issue, and also sell a 2nd "uncensored" all-nude version, right next to the Swanks and Barely Legals behind your 7-11 counters.
8:44 pm on February 10th, 2009
Now that's the kind of close-ups I can really get into!
God, how I'd love to get into that.
8:47 pm on February 10th, 2009
I don't believe Sports Illustrated would or should go into full nudity. Like Chucky said, newsstand sales will suffer. And although Playboy may be more "mainstream" nowadays, there are plenty of consumers in the country who would be appalled, and even boycott Time Inc. over such a move.
8:48 pm on February 10th, 2009
But what does all this have to do with A-Rod?
8:53 pm on February 10th, 2009
Unless Hugh Hefner purchases a stake in Time Warner, I don't see full nudity happening.
8:54 pm on February 10th, 2009
However, I would like to see full nudity happening!
10:42 pm on February 10th, 2009
 Hmmm if SI goes nude, would it still be considered a 'swimsuit' issue? And there allready has been nudity, ok so some of the suits wee painted on. What if they used clear paint, would the models still be nude, or only if the paints have pigments?
3:12 am on February 11th, 2009
Hard-hitting sports news! Â You're in top form, Brooks.
7:19 am on February 11th, 2009
Thanks! Much like the hard-hitting sports news SI brings us with the swimsuit issue!
8:17 am on February 11th, 2009
Swimsuit Illustrated!!! a new brand is coming.
8:49 am on February 11th, 2009
I haven't seen the latest issue, but there's always a nipple shot or two in the issue. So they already have all but nudity. I think they'll increase the see thru stuff, but not kick over to actual nudie stuff anytime soon… The advertiser would freak.
9:54 am on February 11th, 2009
SI could offer me a new car and I wouldn't sign
upfor a subscription to that rag. Well, maybe a new car…. God Bless Israel12:21 pm on February 11th, 2009
With body paint and hands covering up bikini-less breasts, you can argue SI is already doing nudity.
3:43 pm on February 11th, 2009
Dudes, listen to what you're saying…!!! SI should "go nude"…? Isn't it a SPORTS magazine….? Hey, I like skin like the rest o' youse, but sheesh. Grow up. Anti-Brooks is (shudder) starting to sound like the voice of reason….
4:20 pm on February 11th, 2009
Seems to me the swimsuit issue is the only thing that keeps Sports Illustrated at all relevant these days.
6:09 pm on February 11th, 2009
mothra:
We're talking about one annual special edition issue, not the 51 other issues that SI produces every year. Having nudity every week would honestly be a bit much. Might as well subscribe to Playboy then.
6:25 pm on February 11th, 2009
I might be the only one but IMO, going uncensored ruins the concept of "swimsuit" issue doesn't it? Leaving some stuff to the imagination preserves some of that feminine mystique. I mean, what's next after going completely nude? Might as well turn it into something along the lines of playboy or penthouse…
10:35 pm on February 11th, 2009
Nick N.:
Fair enough. Nicely put. Same page.
7:28 am on February 12th, 2009
and whats wrong with getting a little aroused while reading about football? Just think…….. sports and sex, all in one! Great Idea! Let the Games Begin!