Sports Illustrated Logo PNG
The Sports Illustrated logo is crisp and compact. The emblem demonstrates that the publication has compiled comprehensive information on various sports. The reader doesn’t need to spend much time searching for the latest news; the magazine is an ideal source.
Sports Illustrated is an American sports publication that has a circulation of 1.6 million copies. It was printed weekly until 2015, after which it became a monthly. Arena Group has owned the editorial office since 2018, taking over from Time Inc.’s long-term management, while Authentic Brands Group owns the license for goods related to the newspaper.
Meaning and History
Actually, this is the third magazine with such a name. The two previous ones were published monthly and catered to athletes. For the third, the name was initially chosen as the logo, in which the color scheme gradually changed to better reflect the themes of movement, competition, and leadership. Changes were introduced with each new editor-in-chief and owner.
What is Sports Illustrated?
Before the advent of the internet era, it was one of America’s most popular sports publications. The magazine is read by 23 million people every week. By the 2000s, a digital version was launched on SI.com and on the SI.com YouTube channel. Still, in 2017, they announced a return to a focus on the print version: 12 monthly issues, four special editions, and a separate annual swimsuit issue.
1954 – 1961
The first logo is an orange inscription, Sports, in large capital letters. Each symbol seems to be made from a sports ribbon. Below, on an orange oval base, the word Illustrated is also written in capital letters.
The uppercase is a hint at the coverage of major events and the publication’s national scale. The orange motifs represent the engagement with the audience and consideration of their interests. A large part of the issue was devoted to entertainment for a wealthy audience that subscribed to this magazine. A red version of the emblem was also used for hot news and competitions.
White letters symbolize novelty, news, and updates to topics and photos in each issue.
1961 – 1975
In the 1960s, Andre Laguerre took over the magazine’s management, which hadn’t been profitable in its first 10 years of existence. He introduced color reports on the week’s events, which doubled circulation.
The logo of that time was simple and dynamic, and the title was in two levels of black font. The lower word was offset to the right relative to the upper one. It gave the impression that the emblem was moving. At the same time, associations with skiing, golf, football, and swimming arose. The approach pointed to:
- Active sports to which the pages were dedicated.
- Coverage of sports events as they occur.
- Bonus detailed articles at the end of each issue.
- Interesting magazine content from beginning to end.
The offset of the words seemed to urge “keep up with the news with us.”
The first word in the title is written in a larger font to show that sport is the main topic, and the illustrations change from issue to issue. The color black symbolizes the hard work of athletes.
1975 – 1987
Gil Rogin becomes the chief editor. During this time, SI was published weekly and in color as offset printing became available. The new logo reflects the capabilities of the printing press. These are very clear blue letters with a white outline. The title is written in one line, and both words are of the same size. The technique shows that the magazine’s illustrations have become of excellent quality and are as important as the articles on sports.
Blue is the color of achievements and hard work. The white outline hints at the news. The smooth lines of the letters indicate interesting texts. The articles Frank Deford wrote at that time were the most frequently quoted about famous athletes and coaches.
1987 – 1995
In 1987, a video version of the magazine, released by HBO/ Cannon Video on tape, appeared. Mark Mulvoy is the chief editor of the print magazine.
The emblem of the period returns to two levels. It turns red and is placed in a white-bordered rectangle. The shape of the background hints at a cassette. Red letters speak of leadership. The new editor has redesigned. Thanks to him, the magazine received the national magazine award for general excellence two years in a row.
Placing the word “Sports” in the center, above “Illustrated,” makes the logo more compact and harmonious.
1995 – 2001
Time Warner took over the magazine. After a while, the new owners updated the magazine’s format. The logo becomes a red inscription on two levels with a black shadow. The title seems to be raised above the surface, indicating the tabloid’s leading position and many readers. At that time, the magazine was the most authoritative publication about sports in the US.
The title has an unusual depiction of the letters “Ill” in the word “Illustrated,” which appear to serve as pedestals for the first, second, and third places. The crossbar of the letter t appears only on the right side, which reinforces the theme of moving forward. Elongated, slender letters emphasize the toned figures and high growth of athletes.
2001 – today
Time Warner merged with AOL Inc. Another rebranding was held for the magazine. The letters in the title were set in dark blue and outlined in white. The symbols have become more grounded and even more closely connected. There is a black shadow under the letters, which highlights the inscription.
The blue color embodies computer technologies. After the 2000s, the newspaper actively started developing its website and YouTube channel to match the spirit of the time. The white outline is a hint of news. No matter what topic the article covers, it always includes fresh facts that have not been mentioned before.
Font and Colors
Red, blue, and black are the most common colors of the emblem.
- Black effort, will of athletes. The magazine’s lack of competitors is unique in its kind.
- Red competition, movement, energy. The magazine covers the hottest confrontations, controversial issues, biographies of bright personalities, and the latest sports events.
- Dark blue, the solidity of the publication, accurate data, and computerization.
The full-bodied font, reminiscent of the Hulk, indicates voluminous, vibrant reporting. Dark shadows lend the emblem a three-dimensional feel and the sensation of hovering above the paper. This technique symbolizes the evolution of printing technologies and the emergence of computer programs enabling high precision.