Sports Illustrated Size Changes

The size of the Sports Illustrated magazine has changed many times over the years. The first change occurred with the Ingemar Johansson issue on January 4, 1960 when the magazine lost a quarter inch in height.

August 16, 1954 through December 29, 1959 

11 1/2 X 8 1/4

January 4 1960 through January 30, 1961

11 1/4 X  8 1/4

The 2nd size change of Sports Illustrated magazine occurred with the issue of Indoor Track on February 6, 1961. The magazine lost about a 1/16 of an inch in height.

February 6, 1961 through February 19, 1968

11 3/16  X 8 1/4

The 3rd size change of Sports Illustrated magazine occurred with the issue of Curtis Turner on February 26, 1968. The magazine lost about a 1/16 of an inch in height again.

 February 26, 1968 through May 17, 1971

11 1/8 X  8 1/4

The 4th size change of Sports Illustrated magazine occurred with the issue of James McAlister on May 17, 1971. The magazine lost about a 1/16 of an inch in height again.

May 17, 1971 through May 6, 1974

11 inches  X 8 1/4

The 5th size change of Sports Illustrated magazine occurred with the issue of Mayhem on the Ice May 6, 1974. The magazine lost about a 1/8 of an inch in height again.

May 6, 1974 through

10 15/16 X  8 1/4

For my collection I custom made all my backing boards to fit the the size changes through the years. For the first 10 years or so I used “Sheet Music” backing boards and cut them down to size.