Sports Illustrated subscriptions are now managed by Minute Media, the company that acquired the brand in 2021
Sports Illustrated changed ownership in 2021 when Minute Media purchased the brand from Meredith Corporation. If you have an active Sports Illustrated subscription or are considering one, you are dealing with Minute Media's systems, not the previous publisher's. This affects where you pay, how you manage your account, and who handles customer service.
Minute Media operates Sports Illustrated as a digital-first publication with a website, mobile app, and email newsletters. The company offers both free content and paid subscription tiers. Understanding which tier you have — or which one fits your needs — requires knowing what each includes and how the billing works.
Key Takeaways
- Sports Illustrated offers free articles on its website alongside paid subscription tiers that remove ads and unlock premium content.
- Your subscription is billed and managed through Minute Media's systems, so you log in and update payment information on Sports Illustrated's website or app, not through a third-party platform.
- Monthly subscriptions renew automatically, so you need to cancel before your renewal date if you no longer want to be charged.
- If you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, your billing and cancellation happen through those platforms instead of directly with Sports Illustrated.
What each Sports Illustrated subscription tier includes
Sports Illustrated's free tier lets you read a limited number of articles per month before hitting a paywall. You see ads on the website and in the app. This tier never expires and requires no payment or account creation, though creating a free account lets you save articles and customize your feed.
The paid subscription removes the article limit, turns off most ads, and unlocks premium features like exclusive analysis, video content, and early access to stories. Minute Media does not publish a single fixed price — subscription cost varies by region, promotional offers, and whether you pay monthly or annually. Annual subscriptions are typically cheaper per month than paying month-to-month.
Some subscription offers are limited-time promotions. If you see a discounted rate, that price usually applies only to your first billing period; renewal charges may be higher. Read the terms before you complete purchase so you know what the renewal price will be.
How to manage your subscription and billing
If you subscribed directly through Sports Illustrated's website or app, log into your account on the platform where you subscribed. Look for "Account Settings," "Subscription," or "Billing" — the exact label varies by device. From there you can view your current plan, update your payment method, and see your renewal date.
To cancel a subscription you purchased directly from Sports Illustrated, go to your account settings and select the option to cancel or downgrade. Most platforms let you cancel immediately, though you usually keep access through the end of your current billing period. Some offer the option to pause rather than cancel, which temporarily stops charges without closing your account.
If you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through that platform, not through Sports Illustrated. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions and find Sports Illustrated. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and subscriptions," then "Subscriptions," and find Sports Illustrated. Cancel from there.
What happens if your payment fails or you have billing problems
If your payment method declines, Minute Media typically sends an email notification with instructions to update your card. You usually have a grace period — often several days — to fix the payment before your subscription is suspended. Check your email for the exact deadline.
If you were charged twice, charged after you cancelled, or charged an amount different from what you expected, contact Sports Illustrated's customer service. The fastest way is usually through the "Help" or "Contact Us" link on the website or in the app. You can also look for a support email address in your subscription confirmation or billing emails.
Keep your billing emails and receipts. If you dispute a charge with your bank or credit card company, you will need proof of what you were charged and when. Minute Media can provide account history if you ask, but having your own records speeds up the process.
Transferring or sharing your subscription
Sports Illustrated subscriptions are personal accounts tied to a single login. You cannot transfer a subscription to another person, and sharing your login credentials violates the terms of service. If someone else wants to read Sports Illustrated, they need their own subscription or can read the free articles available to all users.
Some households use a shared email address to create one account that multiple people access. This is technically against the terms but is common practice. Minute Media's enforcement varies — they may not notice, or they may suspend the account if they detect unusual access patterns. The safest approach is for each person to have their own account.
Differences between the website, app, and email newsletters
Sports Illustrated publishes through its website (si.com), mobile apps for iPhone and Android, and email newsletters. A subscription to one gives you access to all three, but the experience differs slightly. The website and apps show the same premium content, though the app may load faster on mobile devices. Email newsletters deliver selected stories to your inbox daily or weekly, depending on which newsletters you subscribe to.
Free users can read some articles on the website and app but hit a paywall after a certain number. Email newsletters are available to free users too, though they may include promotional content or links to premium stories you cannot read without paying. Paid subscribers see no paywall across any platform.
What to do if you have trouble accessing your subscription
If you are logged in but cannot see premium content, try logging out and logging back in. Clear your browser cache or close and reopen the app. If you subscribed on one device, make sure you are using the same email address on other devices.
If you paid for a subscription but your account still shows as free, check your email for a confirmation. Subscriptions sometimes take a few minutes to activate after payment clears. If more than an hour has passed and you still cannot access premium content, contact customer service with your receipt or order confirmation number.
If you subscribed through the app but cannot see your subscription when you visit the website, this usually means your account was created separately on each platform. Log in with the same email on both to see if you have two accounts. You may need to contact support to merge them or clarify which subscription is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel my subscription?
Refund policies vary by region and payment method. Most subscriptions are non-refundable for the current billing period, but you keep access through the end of that period after you cancel. If you were charged in error or charged after you cancelled, contact customer service with your receipt — they may issue a refund in those cases.
What happens to my account if I don't use it for a long time?
Your subscription continues to renew and charge you unless you cancel it. Minute Media does not automatically suspend inactive accounts. If you stop using Sports Illustrated but forget to cancel, you will continue to be billed. Check your subscription status periodically if you are unsure whether you still want it.
Can I change my subscription from monthly to annual or vice versa?
Most subscription platforms let you upgrade or downgrade your plan in your account settings. The change usually takes effect at your next renewal date. If you want it to happen immediately, you may need to cancel your current subscription and purchase a new one, though this could affect any promotional pricing you have.
Is there a student discount for Sports Illustrated?
Minute Media occasionally runs promotional offers that may include discounts for students or other groups, but there is no permanent student pricing program. Check the Sports Illustrated website or sign up for their email newsletter to learn about current promotions. Discount codes are sometimes shared through partner organizations or social media.
What's the difference between Sports Illustrated and other sports news sites?
Sports Illustrated focuses on long-form journalism, analysis, and enterprise reporting rather than breaking news alerts. Other sites emphasize speed or live coverage. If you prefer in-depth stories and expert analysis over real-time updates, the subscription may suit your reading habits. The free tier lets you sample the content before you pay.