ESPN's "Body Issue," featuring nude and semi-nude athletes, debuted on newsstands on October 9, 2009, with the intention of competing with the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The inaugural edition, released on October 19, 2009, was a financial success, leading to plans for extended marketing of the 2010 edition.

Inaugural Issue and Financial Success

The first "Body Issue" of ESPN The Magazine was released on October 19, 2009, and featured dozens of athletes in nude and semi-nude photographs. The magazine's mission was to celebrate the athletic form. The debut issue included 20 athletes, among them Serena Williams, Adrian Peterson, and Dwight Howard, alongside a group of photographers.

The 2009 edition was published with six alternative covers. These covers featured Serena Williams (tennis), Carl Edwards (NASCAR), Adrian Peterson (NFL), Dwight Howard (NBA), Gina Carano (mixed martial arts), and Sarah Reinertsen (triathlons). The Serena Williams cover sold the most copies. The issue achieved double the normal edition sales and greater sales than any bi-weekly issue in over two years. It also saw 35 percent more ad sales compared to similar issues.

The "Body Issue" included regular sports coverage in addition to the nude athlete features. The "Bodies We Want" section showcased athletes posed nude with strategic coverage of private parts. Other sections highlighted the physical impact of athletics, such as Laird Hamilton's cracked heel and Torry Holt's crooked middle finger. An action photo in the 2009 issue captured six members of Major League Soccer's D.C. United simulating a free kick defensive wall while covering their genitalia.

Evolution and Impact of the "Body Issue"

Since its inception in October 2009, the "Body Issue" evolved beyond a portfolio of images to become a storytelling platform. It served as a forum for athletes to share both their strengths and vulnerabilities. Over 11 years, the "Body Issue" showcased more than 200 athletes through thousands of photographs.

Notable milestones throughout the "Body Issue's" run include Olympic volleyball icon Kerri Walsh Jennings posing in 2013 while eight months pregnant. In 2016, transgender duathlete Chris Mosier shared his transitioning story. Paralympic rower Oksana Masters posed without her prosthetic legs in 2012. Golf legend Gary Player was featured in 2013 at age 77.

The "Body Issue" aimed to change perceptions of the athletic form, driving conversations about what athletes look like and what constitutes a body perfect for a sport. It sought to inspire a deeper appreciation for the capabilities of the human body, its power, its flaws, what it can overcome, and where it can lead.

Conclusion of the Series

The "Body Issue" was an annual edition of ESPN The Magazine. The 2019 issue was announced as the final publication in the series. The first issue debuted on October 19, 2009, and the final issue was released on September 6, 2019.

Key Facts

  • The "Body Issue" debuted on newsstands on October 9, 2009, and was first published on October 19, 2009.
  • The inaugural 2009 issue featured 20 athletes, including Serena Williams, Adrian Peterson, and Dwight Howard.
  • The 2009 edition had six alternative covers, with the Serena Williams cover selling the most copies.
  • The 2009 issue was a financial success, achieving double normal edition sales and 35 percent more ad sales than comparable issues.
  • Over 11 years, the "Body Issue" featured more than 200 athletes.
  • The 2019 issue, released on September 6, 2019, was the final edition of the "Body Issue."