Sports Illustrated For Women

Sports Illustrated For Women
The article that I found was not a current event that has currently occurred in the media, however, I found a letter from the editor of Sports Illustrated for Women in 2002 when the last issue of that magazine was published. Although not actually a current event, it is relevant. The editor talks about the history behind the magazine that, sadly, lasted for only twenty issues. It started in March 2000 and only lasted until December 2002. Her targeted audience was 18-34 year old females who are “passion (ate) for sports”. This idea seemed like a perfect one for a magazine for women to have who enjoy sports without models being objective to the “male gaze” that has been discussed in the reading and in class lecture since women who are athletes still undergo much pressure to be fit for their sport and beautiful. I found it awful that the magazine did not get enough attention and money to stay in business. The reason is that a piece of written media tries to not make the women’s bodies an object but rather to appreciated women for their skills as athletes. Unfortunately, the magazine did not have enough appeal to cross over into the women’s magazine market. Mainstream media focuses on the glamour issues like fashion, sex, and celebrities, but not necessarily sports celebrities. Even though it was nominated as well-written magazine it could not survive. I do wonder if the editor was a man with the same goal in mind having a magazine for women who loves sports without the use of models will it be more successful. Women in the media and in the sports world do have problem of “male gaze” and it is what society tends to want.

Melissa Walz KIN 338I W 7-9:45