Props in Sports Magazines 2

This blog post serves as a continuation of the previous post, which focused on the use of props in sports magazines. Here, I will be focusing on two types of props:

Personal Accolades

In this cover, former Detroit Pistons player Ben Wallace poses with a ring on his right index finger. It is tradition that NBA Teams who win the NBA Finals have championship rings made for their players. Wallace wearing his ring supports the cover line that the other teams in the NBA “have been warned” about the strength of the Pistons, who are proven champions.

In this cover, former association football player Michael Owen poses with the Ballon D’Or (French for Golden Ball) Award. In association football, best player in the world is awarded the Ballon D’Or, it is similar to the MVP Award used in most American Sports. His posing with the award in essence shows off his skill as a player and separates him from his peers.

In this cover, former Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James poses with two trophies: the NBA Finals MVP Award (L) and the NBA Championship Trophy (R). For this specific post, I’ll be focusing on the Finals MVP Award. It is typically given to the best player throughout the NBA finals series. By posing with it, LeBron James shows that he can lead a team to victory in one of the most highly contested sporting events in the world.
Sports Equipment

In this cover, Cleveland Browns players Jarvis Landry (L) and Odell Beckham Jr. (R) are seen posing with their uniforms on, as well as their cleats and gloves. Additionally, they are holding footballs. The use of sports equipment gives a more refined sense of style to the cover, making it feel more natural as opposed to putting football players in high-end clothing. It also makes the players recognizable to the average sports fan.

In this cover, former Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki poses in his game-day uniform, gloves, and with his bat. For similar reasons mentioned before, it makes Suzuki appear more recognizable and natural to the average sports fan. Additionally, the use of team uniform makes players stand out from the magazine cover, attracting more readers.