What you get with a Sports Illustrated subscription today

Sports Illustrated is now owned and operated by Minute Media, a digital sports and entertainment company. When you subscribe, you pay Minute Media directly for access to Sports Illustrated's website, articles, and archives. The subscription gives you ad-free reading, early access to some stories, and the ability to read without hitting a paywall after a certain number of free articles per month.

Minute Media took over Sports Illustrated's digital operations in 2023, which changed how subscriptions work. Before that, subscriptions were handled through different systems. Now there is one subscription model across the site, managed through Minute Media's platform.

The cost and exact features vary depending on whether you choose a monthly or annual plan. Minute Media also runs other sports sites like The Athletic and FanSided, so your subscription account may work across some of those properties depending on what you purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • Sports Illustrated subscriptions are sold and managed by Minute Media, the company that owns the site.
  • You can read a limited number of free articles per month before the paywall appears, and a subscription removes that limit.
  • Monthly and annual plans cost different amounts, and annual plans usually offer a lower per-month rate.
  • Your subscription account is tied to the email address you use to sign up, and you can manage it through your account settings on the Sports Illustrated website.

How to start and manage a subscription

To subscribe, go to the Sports Illustrated homepage and look for a "Subscribe" button, usually in the top right corner or within an article when you hit the paywall. Click it and you will be taken to a page where you choose between monthly and annual billing. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide payment information.

After you subscribe, you can log in with that email and password on any device. Your subscription follows your account, not your device, so you can read on your phone, tablet, and computer as long as you are signed in.

To manage your subscription — to change your payment method, update your email, or cancel — log into your account and go to the settings or account section. The exact location varies slightly depending on whether you are on the website or using the Sports Illustrated app, but there is always a "Manage Subscription" or "Billing" option once you are logged in.

Cancellation and refunds

You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Minute Media does not charge you again after you cancel, but you will lose access to the subscription features at the end of your current billing period. If you paid for a month, you have access until the end of that month. If you paid for a year, you have access until the end of that year.

Refunds for partial months or years depend on Minute Media's refund policy at the time you cancel. Most digital subscriptions do not offer refunds for time already paid, but you should check the terms when you sign up or contact Minute Media's support if you cancel within a few days of subscribing and want to ask about an exception.

What happens if you do not subscribe

Sports Illustrated publishes some articles for free, and you can read a certain number of them each month without paying. Once you hit that limit, you will see a paywall message asking you to subscribe. The exact number of free articles per month varies and Minute Media adjusts it periodically.

If you do not want to subscribe, you have a few options. You can wait until the next month for your free article count to reset. You can also clear your browser cookies, which sometimes resets the counter, though this is not a reliable method and Minute Media actively works to prevent it. The most straightforward approach is to subscribe if you read Sports Illustrated regularly.

Minute Media's other sports sites and cross-access

Minute Media owns several sports websites including The Athletic, FanSided, and others. Depending on which subscription you purchase, you may or may not have access to these other sites. A Sports Illustrated-only subscription typically gives you access only to Sports Illustrated. If Minute Media offers a bundle subscription that includes multiple sites, that would be listed as a separate option at checkout.

Check the subscription details before you pay to see exactly which sites your plan covers. If you are interested in reading multiple Minute Media properties, ask whether a bundle plan exists and what it costs compared to buying separate subscriptions.

Payment methods and billing cycles

Sports Illustrated subscriptions through Minute Media accept major credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes digital payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay, depending on how you are accessing the site. When you sign up, you choose whether to be billed monthly or annually.

Your billing date is the date you subscribe. If you subscribe on the 15th of the month on a monthly plan, you will be charged again on the 15th of every following month. If you choose annual billing, you will be charged once per year on that same date. Minute Media will send you a reminder email before each charge goes through.

If your payment method fails, Minute Media will usually try again a few times before suspending your access. Check your email for payment failure notices and update your payment information in your account settings if your card has expired or changed.

Troubleshooting common subscription issues

If you are logged in but still seeing the paywall, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes your session does not sync properly across devices. If that does not work, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log in again.

If you are charged twice in one billing cycle, contact Minute Media's support team through the Sports Illustrated website. Keep your receipt or credit card statement showing the duplicate charge, and they can investigate and issue a refund if it was an error.

If you forgot your password, click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page and follow the instructions sent to your email. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder. If you still cannot reset it, contact support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Sports Illustrated subscription with family members?

Most digital subscriptions, including Sports Illustrated, are meant for individual use. Sharing login credentials with people outside your household may violate the terms of service. If you want multiple family members to have access, check whether Minute Media offers a family plan or whether each person needs their own subscription.

Do I get a print magazine with a digital subscription?

A digital-only subscription to Sports Illustrated gives you access to the website and app, not the print magazine. If you want the print edition, you would need to purchase a separate print subscription or a bundle that includes both print and digital. Check the subscription options at checkout to see what is available.

What if I subscribed before Minute Media took over?

If you had a subscription under the previous owner, you may have needed to create a new account with Minute Media or migrate your subscription. Contact Minute Media's support team with your old subscription information, and they can help you transfer or set up a new account without being charged twice.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Most subscriptions do not have a pause feature. You either stay subscribed and are charged, or you cancel. If you want to take a break, cancel your subscription and you can resubscribe later. When you resubscribe, you will be charged at the current rate, which may be different from what you paid before.

How do I know if my subscription is active?

Log into your Sports Illustrated account and go to your account settings or billing section. It will show your current subscription status, the next billing date, and your payment method. If you do not see an active subscription listed, your subscription has ended or was canceled.