Take It Or Leave It: SI Lets Readers Know Of Swimsuit Option

WNBA Storm’s Jackson Posing In Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

SI this year is printing in the magazine a policy that has “been quietly in effect for decades” that allows subscribers to extend their subscription by one issue rather than receive the swimsuit issue, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. SI Managing Editor Terry McDonell said that the decision to make the offer more explicit this year “was not a reaction to a more conservative climate.” McDonell: “That’s the last message I’d want to send. This is about good manners.” SI VP/Communications Art Berke added, “The indications were that people didn’t realize there was this policy, so we felt it was important to do it.” Sandomir reports 25,829 subscribers, or 0.8%, have asked not to receive the swimsuit issue thus far (N.Y. TIMES, 1/19).

ACTION JACKSON: In Seattle, Jayda Evans reported WNBA Storm F Lauren Jackson will appear in the issue wearing a swimsuit by Australian designer Jodhi Packer. Jackson, an Australian native, last summer posed nude in an artistic photo essay for Australian magazine Black + White’s Olympic issue (SEATTLE TIMES, 1/17).