Sportsfrog.com

I guess I’m used to seeing pictures of Danica Patrick or Anna Kournikova in bikinis when this argument is made, but instead, Lindsey Vonn’s SI cover this week is “a sexualized pose” according to Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi.

Over the last 60 years researchers have shown that about 4% of all SI covers have portrayed women.

When females are featured on the cover of SI, they are more likely than not to be in sexualized poses and not in action–and the most recent Vonn cover is no exception.

The crux of LaVoi’s argument is based on the fact that Vonn doesn’t have a helmet and goggles on, and it’s a passive photo. And given that criteria, SI just loves making athletes objects. Look at Jimmy Connors and his come hither grin! Or Tom Brady and his fantastic teeth and shirtless body!

Without the proper context of Sports Illustrated cover poses over the years, LaVoi comes off as looking as an uninformed feminist using the Vonn cover to try to make a point that really isn’t there. If Vonn had been scantily clad, this may be a legitimate argument. Instead, it looks pretty foolish.

(h/t The Big Lead)