LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate Sports Illustrated (SI.com) as Left-Center Biased based on political sports reporting that moderately favors a liberal perspective. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Magazine
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Sports Illustrated (SI), founded by Stuart Scheftel in 1954, is a prominent sports media company known for its comprehensive coverage of sports leagues, events, and athletes through its print magazine and website (si.com). It is based in New York.
In addition, the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue features female models, celebrities, and athletes in swimwear from around the world. SI was sold in 2018 to Authentic Brands Group and licensed to The Arena Group for editorial operations.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
SI is owned by Authentic Brands Group LLC (ABG), a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company. ABG acquired SI in 2019. Sports Illustrated allows free access to four premium articles. Revenue is generated through advertising and subscriptions for digital and print editions of the magazine.
Analysis / Bias
Sports Illustrated’s primary focus is sports news and analysis, with occasional sports-related political stories.
In review, SI publishes articles with neutral language, such as “NFL Power Rankings: Jets in Top Five After Free Agency With Aaron Rodgers Coming Soon,” and expresses left-leaning opinions within the context of sports, such as “Trump’s Agenda Isn’t the NFL or NBA. It’s Trump, As Always,” “Is the NFL Ready for Donald Trump’s Return?” The article cites Governor Ron DeSantis’s “battle” with Disney over Florida’s controversial education bill, seen as a culture war issue and linked to Trumpian-style politics.
The article states, “Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is battling the Disney corporation (firmly in bed with the NFL as a content partner and owner of ESPN) over its opposition to the state’s Parental Rights In Education—or ‘Don’t Say Gay’—bill, in what is largely a culture war meant to appease voters in a Trumpian style.”
Another article, “What Do You Think of Colin Kaepernick Now?” highlights the athletes speaking out against racial injustice. The quote reads, “All Kaepernick wanted was justice and his job. The first is hard to achieve. The second, he never should have lost.”
SI utilizes credible sources such as Politico, Business Insider, ESPN, and flsenate.gov. In general, Sports Illustrated is fact-based and holds left-leaning editorial positions.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Sports Illustrated (SI.com) as Left-Center Biased based on political sports reporting that moderately favors a liberal perspective. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsing 03/22/2023)
Source: https://www.si.com/
Last Updated on March 22, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
