Monday, Nov. 2 - ESPN magazine has confirmed in its most recent issue available at newsstands everywhere that in light of its enormous success with their inaugural 'Body Issue', plans are now in the works for a second edition to be released in 2010 with reader nominations now being accepted.
Intended to compete with Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue, the controversial 'Body Issue' which hit newsstands on October 9th, features athletes from all walk of sport including the likes of women's tennis champion Serena Williams, NFL superstar Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, and mixed martial arts star Gina Carano posing in various stages of undress. While sales figures are still being tallied, ESPN has reported that within one week of the issue's release over 400 new subscribers joined the paid "Insider" portion of the website, a number which exceeded expectations and subsequently paved the way for another Body Issue to be produced in 2010.
Reaction from readers, as expected, has ranged from wildly enthusiastic to overwhelmingly negative. Some noteable letters from readers are as follows:
"Not only do I not want to view naked people, I don't want my 3 year old - who looks at daddy's magazines, seeing such images." - Kelly Pettit, Clovis, CA
"I enjoyed seeing so many athletes from so many different sports. I kept calling my husband in to look at the photos." - Karen McCaslin, Collegeville, PA
" There were at least 35 women baring more than necessary. I had to spend an hour making the magazine appropriate for my husband to read." - Stefanni Franci, Vienna, VA
With world #1 Serena Williams having been chosen as one of the cover models for the premier edition of the 'Body Issue', tennis fans everywhere are beginning to speculate as to who else among the game's top stars might lend their physique to the ESPN camera lenses in next year's edition. Popular names for consideration include former #1 Ana Ivanovic and current world #4 Caroline Wozniacki from the womens tour, as well as Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick from the mens tour. Readers are encouraged to email their votes to bodies@espnthemag.com