Everybody knows about ESPN as the cable TV channel for sports-related programs. Its publication counterpart is called ESPN The Magazine, which is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network. While ESPN the channel was first launched in 1979, the magazine’s first issue was published in March of 1998.

The magazine covers the main and most popular sports in the United States. They include Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, NFL, college football and college basketball. What makes the magazine attractive than other sports magazine is that it usually takes a light-hearted, sometimes even humorous approach to sports news, as compared to other sports magazine like Sporting News or Sports Illustrated. If you have read a few magazine copies, you will notice that the issues usually cover players with careers that suffered due to incidents and accidents off the field.

Among the sections or departments of each issue of the magazine include:

The Sports Guy. This is the first section in the magazine, written by Bill Simmons, who tries to provide an alternative point of view on a particular sporting issue.

Two Way. As suggestive of its name, in this section, questions from readers are entertained by Stuart Scott, who gives his own opinions in response to the question.

The Biz. This part tackles a more serious topic. In this section, Peter Keating presents the business aspect of sports. He also discusses the effect of this business aspect on the sporting world.

The Post. This section refers back to the previous edition of the magazine, and presents some reader’s comments as well as updates regarding previously featured stories.

Zoom. This is a poster-type, large image considered to be the “image of the week.” It occupies two whole pages.

The Jump. This contains a mix of various regular features, which offers an alternative entertaining, often humorous view on the current topics in the sporting scene.

Outtakes. This contains transcripts of interviews done by Kenny Mayne with a popular sports star. The interview usually tackles non sports issues surrounding the sports star’s life.

The Life of Reilly. This is a section by columnist Rick Reilly who gives opinions regarding the sports world, and gives reports on various current topics of interest in the sporting world.

These are just some of the many things to look forward to in every issue of ESPN the Magazine. If you are a sports fanatic, every issue is surely worth looking forward to. You can enjoy great savings when getting an ESPN the Magazine subscription. For every issue, you will get a good percentage off the newsstand price. You can get even better discounts if you subscribe through an online magazine website.