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May 22, 2013
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Play Diagrams and Stats Aren’t Enough? ESPN Mag Gets Naked

By Ryan Robertson | July 10, 2012 | 15:53

A  A
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Update (July 13, 15:14 EDT): ESPN Magazine's Twitter profile is using an image of a naked female athlete as its avatar | Is it time for ESPN Magazine to don the “plain brown wrapper” and move to the very top back of the magazine rack where curious youngsters can’t catch a glimpse? It may be, at least for one issue a year.

The fourth annual “Body Issue” of ESPN is scheduled to arrive at newsstands on July 11. Like the Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue,” the magazine takes a break from balls and strikes and receivers’ routes to stop and ogle sexy people. In this case, however, all are famous athletes (of both sexes) and all are photographed naked.

The shots are risqué and made barely decent by minimal coverings or clever camera angles. But according to ESPN’s website, readers are supposed to unapologetically “gawk” at the naked bodies in appreciation of their athleticism. “Just imagine how it would feel to inhabit those bodies,” it said. “To leap, punch, and throw like a god.” ESPN apparently thinks its readers incapable of that leap of imagination while contemplating athletes in uniform, or a tee shirt and shorts. 

One of the most widespread of the six circulated covers this year features a completely nude Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots with a peeling sticker in between his thighs. Others include New York Knicks forward Tyson Chandler with an exposed rear end, and WNBA star Candace Parker in a similar pose with a basketball in front of her chest. Twenty five more naked athletes are showcased within.

The “Body Issue” came about as a way to increase sales back in the desperate times of 2009. Showing athletes in the buff turned out to be a successful venture with a reported 35 percent spike in advertising revenue, and twice the amount of normal sales according to a CNBC report by Darren Rovell. A decision was then made to make it an annual “celebration of the athletic form.”


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Comments

I guess since theres no sports going on

Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 6:31pm.

And theres no other reason to get ESPN the rag, I mean Mag, they might as well do this! Has anyone ever tried to read it? Its mangled garbage, almost illegible, and of course, filled with left-winged sports crap! Im surprised they dont have O'Bozo posing in it, or even on the cover!

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. BEN FRANKLIN
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"Is it time for ESPN Magazine

Submitted by balboa on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 7:03pm.

"Is it time for ESPN Magazine to don the “plain brown wrapper” and move to the very top back of the magazine rack where curious youngsters can’t catch a glimpse?"

No. (sigh)

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So ESPN is finally going to publish something worth looking at

Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 7:16pm.

About time.

Oink. :-D

-Dave

Vote for the American in November

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What's the big deal?

Submitted by Shreve on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 7:28pm.

Weren't we all born naked?

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Exactly why we put

Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/10/2012 - 7:44pm.

Clothes on most of ya!

Seek Truth, Defend Liberty
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What's the big deal!

Submitted by johnnyatlanta on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 10:45am.

Dear Shreve. What's the big deal about murder, rape, and robbery? Weren't we all born uncivilized?

Right of Limbaugh
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Yeah shreve we were all naked

Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 11:03am.

Yeah shreve we were all naked at birth and we were also ignorant. The rest of us grew up, got smart and put on clothes. You obviously are still naked and stupid.

 

Jesus Loves You so much He died for you

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I find this EXTREMELY offensive!!!!

Submitted by Tatfreak79 on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 6:54am.

Cause I hate the Pats!!! Booooooo Gronkowski..... Boooooo!!

I have many leatherbound books...and my house smells of a rich mahogany
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It's neo-porn

Submitted by Free Stinker on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 10:58am.

They're just following the lead of SI, FHM, Maxim, et al.

 

   /// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 ///    خال

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