Advertisement

Ranking Sports Illustrated's memorable LSU covers with SI's future in flux

The future of Sports Illustrated, one of the sports journalism industry's staples, has come into question after news broke Friday that its parent company Arena Group intended to layoff some of the outfit's staff.

Reportedly that move came on the heels of Authentic, the licensing company that owns the outlet, terminating its licensing agreement with the Arena Group.

Sports Illustrated has been a pinnacle for sports writing and photography for 70 years and in that span, there have been some iconic covers that have featured LSU athletics.

Let's rank the top 5 SI covers that have LSU athletes and teams on the cover:

5. LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese, LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne, Sports Illustrated, October 2023 edition

In the changing landscape of college athletics with the implementation of Name, Image and Likeness and student-athletes' clearance to earn money through NIL deals, LSU female athletes Angel Reese and Olivia Dunne have been at the forefront.

4. "Pistol" Pete Maravich, Sports Illustrated, December 1, 1969

"All over the Southeastern Conference, when Pete Maravich comes out on the court it's show time." LSU's greatest basketball player shares with readers how he got his start in the sport and why he wanted to "put on a show."

3. LSU legend Shaquille O'Neal, Sports Illustrated, January 21, 1991

With rising star Shaquille O'Neal, who was dubbed the best center in college basketball as as junior in 1991-92, LSU men's basketball and Dale Brown were expected to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers lost to UConn in the first round of March Madness that season.

2. LSU men's basketball's Chris Jackson, Sports Illustrated, February 20, 1989

Chris Jackson of the LSU Tigers drives during the 1989-1990 season.
Chris Jackson of the LSU Tigers drives during the 1989-1990 season.

Chris Jackson was the talk of college basketball during his freshman season in 1988-89. While he was a star on the court, his story was far more compelling as he shared his battle with Tourette's syndrome and how he copes.

ANGEL REESE Angel Reese: 5 things to know about the LSU women's basketball star

JOE BURROW Joe Burrow named 2020 SEC Male Athlete of the Year

1. LSU football quarterback Joe Burrow, Sports Illustrated, December 2, 2019

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is shown before facing Alabama this season at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is shown before facing Alabama this season at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Joe Burrow transferred to LSU from Ohio State and in two years, he helped lead the Tigers to the College Football Playoffs national championship, operating arguably the greatest offense in college football history.

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU Sports Illustrated covers: Ranking 5 SI covers for the Tigers