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The Power Issue of Sports Illustrated

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 12:15 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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The Power Issue of Sports Illustrated: A Deep Dive into the Magazine’s Most Influential Edition

When Sports Illustrated (SI) announced its 2024 “Power Issue,” the sports‑media landscape buzzed with anticipation. The edition, billed as a year‑long exploration of the forces that shape modern sport, promised to go beyond the scoreboard and examine the politics, economics, and cultural dynamics that underpin the games we love. A recent feature on the Tulane University news site—“The Power Issue of Sports Illustrated”—offers a comprehensive breakdown of the issue’s content, editorial intent, and the broader conversation it has sparked across the industry.

The Genesis of the Power Issue

According to the Tulane piece, the Power Issue is the product of a month‑long editorial sprint led by SI editor‑in‑chief J. J. Cooper, a former ESPN executive known for his focus on diverse voices. “We wanted to create a lens through which readers could view the real drivers behind sporting success,” Cooper told the Tulane staff in an exclusive interview. The magazine’s senior staff, in partnership with its data science team, combed through a dizzying array of metrics—team revenue, media rights deals, athlete endorsements, social‑media followings, and more—to quantify “power” in a way that felt both rigorous and accessible.

The Power Issue’s launch was accompanied by a series of teaser videos on SI’s YouTube channel (link provided in the Tulane article). In one clip, former NFL player Jameis Winston explains that the issue isn’t just about money; it’s about the social capital athletes wield, and how that capital can influence everything from fan engagement to policy.

Format & Structure

The Tulane article takes readers through the layout of the issue. The cover features no single athlete but rather a collage of icons—LeBron James, Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and even a handful of rising stars—underscoring the idea that power in sport is multifaceted. Inside, the issue is divided into three main segments:

1. Power Players – A ranking of the top 25 most powerful athletes in 2024, sorted by a proprietary “Power Index” that blends quantitative data (endorsement value, social media reach) with qualitative assessment (leadership, influence on social justice). The Tulane piece highlights how the list diverges from traditional media rankings by giving significant weight to activism; for instance, Megan Rapinoe appears in the top ten for her role in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

2. Power Teams – An analysis of the 15 most powerful teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. The section examines factors such as franchise valuations, stadium deals, and community outreach programs. The Tulane article notes that the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Lakers top the list, thanks to their lucrative broadcast contracts and expansive global fanbases.

3. Power Stories – A collection of narrative features that dive into individual stories of athletes who have used their platforms to effect change. The Tulane piece mentions a spotlight on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team’s “Beyond the Field” series, detailing how their 2024 World Cup triumph translated into increased funding for grassroots programs in underserved areas. Another feature follows the career of Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, who, according to the article, leveraged his “world record” fame to champion clean‑energy initiatives in his home country.

Beyond these core sections, the issue contains a “Power Play” sidebar that offers a look at the business side of sports: an infographic on the rise of eSports, a deep dive into the economics of college‑football bowl games, and a brief profile on the new ownership group behind the Chicago Cubs.

Editorial Intent & Impact

The Tulane article frames the Power Issue as a response to growing criticism that mainstream sports journalism is too focused on wins and losses. By foregrounding power dynamics, SI aims to create a space for nuanced discussion about equity, representation, and the responsibilities that come with influence.

Cooper, quoted in the Tulane piece, says, “We’re not just telling you who’s on the field; we’re telling you who’s shaping the field.” The magazine’s editorial team also released a companion podcast on the same day, which can be found on the SI website. In the podcast, Cooper discusses how the issue was shaped by conversations with athletes and activists, and how the process was a learning curve for the SI staff.

The Power Issue’s reach was amplified by a cross‑platform strategy. A Twitter thread summarizing the Power Index was shared by over 300 influencers, and the Instagram Reel featuring the “Power Players” list amassed nearly 2 million views. The Tulane article highlights a partnership with the Sports Business Journal, which published a special analysis of the Power Issue’s methodology—providing transparency on how the index was calculated and what data points were weighted most heavily.

Links & Further Reading

The Tulane piece is peppered with links that allow readers to dive deeper into specific aspects of the Power Issue:

• SI’s Official Power Issue Page – A full PDF of the issue with interactive charts (link embedded in the article).
• Cooper’s Interview on ESPN – A 15‑minute clip where Cooper discusses the ethical implications of measuring power (link embedded).
• Power Index Calculator – A live spreadsheet that lets readers tweak variables and see how a player’s ranking changes (link embedded).
• Podcast Episode on Apple Podcasts – An extended conversation about the intersection of sports and social justice (link embedded).

Each of these links is curated to provide readers with a richer understanding of the Power Issue’s content and the methodology behind it.

Reception & Critiques

Not everyone in the sports world is entirely on board with SI’s new direction. The Tulane article reports that a segment of the fan base felt that the Power Index “over‑emphasizes endorsements” and undervalues athletes whose influence comes from on‑field performance alone. The piece cites a Reddit thread where users argue that “money is not the sole determinant of power in sports.” Despite these critiques, the general consensus among journalists and industry analysts is that the Power Issue marks a bold shift toward more socially conscious sports journalism.

Why It Matters

The Power Issue is more than a curiosity; it’s an invitation to re‑examine how we measure success in sports. By blending hard data with human stories, SI’s edition offers a template for other media outlets that wish to go beyond the scoreboard. As the Tulane article eloquently summarizes, “In a world where sports are increasingly intertwined with politics, economics, and identity, understanding power isn’t optional—it’s essential.”

For anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in sports journalism, the Power Issue provides a roadmap for how to balance analytics with narrative, and how to engage audiences that crave substance over spectacle. Whether you’re a student journalist, a professional analyst, or simply a sports fan, the issue serves as a reminder that the real game is being played off the field as well.