What does sports illustrated mean?

I am confused about Sports Illustrated magazine. I have some questions?

• So, from the name of the magazine Sports Illustrated, I think the magazine should talk about sports and on the cover of the magazine should be a NFL player or NBA player but I always see models in bikini. The models who are on the cover of sports illustrated magazine become so famous, all over the world. I think models have nothing to do with sports. Can you tell me why models are on the cover of this magazine???? Every year is a new model on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. Can every model be on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine??? If not, please tell me what models can be on the cover??? What is so special about these models that are on the cover of Sports illustrated magazine???? Why Sports Illustrated magazine is so famous??? Thank you.

• Answer:

  The swimsuit issue appears only once annually, but it is on the newsstands for weeks. The usual issues all have sports figures on the covers. The swimsuit issue first appeared early in 1964 between major seasons when sports are slow. It was a gimmick to make some money at a bad time for sports magazines. It has become more popular than the regular issue by now. Some models have been on several covers. The 2012 issue shows Kate Upton, the 2011 issue shows Irina Shayk, etc.I recall that one issue showed all of the models, and there were 17 of them, but only one was on the cover. It was Yamila Diaz-Rahi. The editors choose which girl of the group will be on the cover. They want a photo that will make people want to buy the magazine.