SI Swimsuit Issue 2012: Where Does This Edition Rank in Top 20 All Time?

We all know by now that buxom blonde model Kate Upton will grace the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. 

The choice comes as no surprise as 2011 was truly the year of Upton—she made headlines for attracting the attention of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowksi, doing the sexiest Dougie in history and a rumored relationship with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. 

Obviously, Upton is it—but where does her cover rank among the best covers in history? Sure, Upton is stunning, but the models featured over the last few decades certainly were no slouches. Some of the most beautiful and successful models in history have landed this coveted cover. 

Let's see if Upton has what it takes to edge out the competition and see what was happening in the sports world the year each was published.  

 

 

20) 1994 Issue: Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson & Rachel Hunter

The 1994 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured models Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson and Rachel Hunter. It was the first and last time three models appeared on the cover. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Strikes & Violence  

*A strike in Major League Baseball costs the entire season of play. 

*After the Canucks loss to the Rangers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, riots break out on the streets of Vancouver…why does that sound so very familiar?

*American ice-princess Nancy Kerrigan is attacked at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The story grabs headlines worldwide—especially when it's revealed that rival Tonya Harding had been behind the attack. 

19) 2005 Issue: Carolyn Murphy

The 2005 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Carolyn Murphy. Prior to landing the cover, Murphy had been featured in high profile campaigns Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara and Calvin Klein. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Coaching Moves

*After winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots as offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis is hired as the next head coach of the University of Notre Dame. 

*"The Great One," Wayne Gretzky returns to the NHL as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.

*After an unimpressive showing with the Redskins, Steve Spurrier returns to the college ranks as head coach at the University of South Carolina. 

*Legendary coach Phil Jackson returns to the Lakers—he just can't quit Kobe. 

18) 1985 Issue: Paulina Porizkova

The 1985 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Czech model Paulina Porizkova. Porizkova was one of the top models of the decade and two years after her SI cover, she was featured on the cover of Playboy. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Big Names, Big Accomplishments   

*Quarterback Joe Montana wins his second Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers, defeating the Miami Dolphins 38-16. 

*Future superstar Patrick Ewing is drafted out of Georgetown by the New York Knicks in the NBA's first "draft lottery." 

*Cincinnati Reds slugger Pete Rose breaks Ty Cobb's all-time hit record of 4,191 hits. 

17) 2007 Issue: Beyonce

The 2007 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured "bootyicious" singer Beyonce, bucking the trend of buxom blonde models. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Massive Scandals 

*Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick is arrested, and eventually pleads guilty to being the ringleader of a dog-fighting operation. 

*The Patriots scandal eventually known as "Spygate" first hits the news. 

*Famed American Olympian Marion Jones is stripped of five Olympic medals and banned from competing at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. 

*Slugger Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's career home run record of 755—he is indicted on perjury charges related to steroids after the season.

16) 1980 Issue: Christie Brinkley

The 1980 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Christie Brinkley, one of the most successful models in history. During her career, Brinkley landed over 500 magazine covers—not including the tabloid attention her four marriages attracted. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Historic Victories 

*The U.S. Olympic hockey team defeats the heavily favored Russians in what would become known as  "The Miracle on Ice."

*Bjorn Borg falls to the grass after defeating John McEnroe in an epic Wimbledon final. 

*The Phillies end 97 years of frustration by defeating the Royals in six games—capturing their first ever World Series victory. 

*The Steelers win their fourth Super Bowl in six years, securing their place in history as one of sports greatest dynasties. 

15) 2004 Issue: Veronica Varekova

The 2004 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Czech model Veronica Varekova. Four years after landing the cover, Varekova successful scaled Mount Kilimanjaro. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Shock and Awe

*The year kicked off with the most infamous Super Bowl half-time show in NFL history—certainly the term "Nipplegate" rings a bell. 

*The Boson Red Sox win the World Series—ending 86 years of futility and finally breaking the curse of the Bambino once and for all. 

*Jaws dropped when the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest jumped into the stands in Detroit, and attacked at least three fans after being hit by a flying cup. 

*After walking away from football in 2002 to enlist in the U.S. Army, former Arizona Cardinal Pat Tillman is killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in late April. 

14) 1996 Issue: Valeria Mazza & Tyra Banks

The 1996 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured models Valerie Mazza and Tyra Banks—making Banks the first African-American to ever appear on the magazine's cover. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Superstars Breaking Records  

*Ken Griffey Jr. signs a four-year extension with the Mariners worth $34 million—making him baseball's highest paid-player. 

*Bulls legend Michael Jordan becomes the first player ever to be named the NBA's MVP of the regular season, playoffs and All-Star game in a single season.

*Tiger Woods wins an unprecedented third U.S. Amateur Championship.

*Lakers legend Magic Johnson becomes the second NBA player in history to reach 10,000 career assists.

*Lions running back Barry Sanders completes his third consecutive season with at least 1,500 yards for the first time in NFL history. 

13) 1999 Issue: Rebecca Romijn

The 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Rebecca Romijn—who was then married to actor John Stamos. Romijn went on to a success post-modeling career as an actress—her most notable role was Mystique in the X-Men trilogy. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Saying Goodbye  

*Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio dies of complications from lung cancer. He was 84-years-old.

*The NBA's "Wilt the Stilt" Chamberlain, who once seemed invincible, dies of congestive heart failure at age 63.

*Bears running back great Walter Payton dies of bile duct cancer that was discovered while he was being treated for a rare liver disease. Payton was just 45-years-old. 

*Three of the single greatest athletes in their respective sports all call it a career in 1999—Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and John Elway all retire. 

12) 1988 Issue: Elle Macpherson

The 1988 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Australian model Elle "The Body" Macpherson.

Biggest sports stories of the Year: California Dreamin'

*The Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series, defeating the Oakland Athletics in five games. 

*The San Francisco 49ers win the Super Bowl, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 20-16. 

*The Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA Championship, defeating the Detroit Pistons in seven games. 

*California native, Greg Louganis, wins the gold medal in springboard diving at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and is named ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. 

11) 2000 Issue: Daniela Pestova

The 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Czech model Daniela Pestova. After landing the SI cover, Pestova went on to model for L'Oreal and Victoria's Secret. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Breaking Records

*The Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez to the richest contract in sports history—worth $252 million over 10 years. 

*The Harlem Globetrotters lost to Michigan state 72-68 in an exhibition game—ending their winning streak at 1,270 games. 

*Montreal Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy passes Terry Sawchuck for the most wins ever by a goalie in the NHL.

*Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon breaks Walter Payton's single game rushing record—he racked up 278 yards in a game against the Broncos. 

10) 2002 Issue: Yamila Diaz-Rahi

The 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Argentine model Yamila Diaz-Rahi—she was the first Latina spokesmodel in CoverGirl history. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Controversy Brewing 

*A scoring controversy at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake results in both Russia and Canada being awarded gold medals in pairs figure skating. 

*In the waning minutes of the AFC Championship game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady fumbles the ball—all but sealing it for the Raiders. Well, that is until the call on the field is infamously reversed citing the "Tuck Rule," and the Pats go on to win the game and the Super Bowl.  

*Retired player Ken Caminiti admits to using steroids when he won the 1996 NL MVP Award—he dies two years later of a heart attack at age 41. 

9) 1975 Issue: Cheryl Tiegs

The 1975 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model and 70's pop culture icon Cheryl Tiegs.

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Future Legends Becoming Legendary

*Muhammad Ali Defeats Joe Frazier in the fight knows as the "Thrilla in Manila." 

*Jack Nicklaus is the PGA Tour money leader and wins the Masters and the PGA Championship.

*Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr wins the Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season.

*Richard Petty wins the World 500 and the NASCAR Championship

*Arthur Ashe becomes the first black man to win at Wimbledon.

 

8) 2009 Issue: Bar Refaeli

The 2009 issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featured Israeli model Bar Refaeli—aside from being stunning beautiful, Refaeli is best known for her long-term romance with Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Fallen Heroes 

*Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident in Anaheim, CA. 

*American tennis legend Andre Agassi confesses using using crystal meth during his career in his autobiography and alleges the ATP Tour covered up his positive drug tests. 

*New York Yankees slugger, Alex Rodriguez reads a written statement apologizing for taking banned drugs at a press conference. 

*Tiger Woods is involved in a car accident outside his Florida residence, within hours his life and his reputation are forever scarred when details of his extramarital affairs hit the news. 

7) 2011 Issue: Irina Shayk

The 2011 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Russian model Irina Shayk—who is best known internationally as the lady in footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's life. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Stunning Events 

*Penn State is rocked by the child sex scandal of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky—within day most of the athletic staff is fired, included beloved coach Joe Paterno. 

*Students at Penn State react to the news that Paterno had been fired by rioting—a news van was turned over in the process. 

*Tim Tebow stuns the nation with a series of unbelievable fourth quarter comebacks and leads the Denver Broncos to a division win. 

*The Dallas Mavericks upset the Miami Heat to capture the NBA Championship—LeBron James is openly defiant at the post game press conference.

6) 1998 Issue: Heidi Klum

The 1998 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured German model Heidi Klum—she went on to host the popular reality show Project Runway.

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Breaking Records and Ending Streaks 

*Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire battle it out for the home run record and they both break it—Sosa finishes at 66, McGwire at 70. 

*Cal Ripken finally ends his consecutive games streak at 2,632.

*The Denver Broncos and John Elway finally win the Super Bowl after four previous losses.

*The Chicago Bulls capture their sixth NBA initial in eight years.

5) 2003 Issue: Petra Nemcova

The 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured Czech model Petra Nemcova—one year later Nemcova barely survived the Tsunami that struck east Asia. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Curses and Cheaters

*The Chicago Cubs snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when they blow a lead in Game 6 of the NLCS—better recognized as the "Steve Bartman incident."

*Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is ejected from a summer game for using a corked bat, but claims it was a mistake. 

*The Boston Red Sox collapse in Game 7 of the ALCS, blowing an eighth inning lead to the Yankees. 

*BALCO, the Bay Area laboratory that engineered undetectable designer drugs for athletes, first makes headlines. 

4) 2012 Issue: Kate Upton

The 2012 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Kate Upton—she was named the SI Rookie of the Year in 2011 and is rumored to be dating Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: So Far 

*The New York Giants defeat the favored New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in a game that was eerily reminiscent of their first meeting. 

*PGA Golf: Phil Mickelson surges, Tiger Woods sinks at Pebble Beach.

*The nation is gripped by "Linsanity," after no name Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin comes out of nowhere.

*Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno dies at age 85 of complications from lung cancer treatment. 

3) 2008 Issue: Marisa Miller

The 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Marisa Miller—she was ranked No. 1 on Maxim's Hot 100 List the same year. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Epic Victories 

*The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, ending their dream of an 18-0 season. 

*Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal go to battle at the U.S. Open and after the longest men's final in history (four hours, 48 minutes), Nadal emerges victorious.

*Tiger Woods wins his 14th major championship when he outplays the field at the U.S. Open on just one leg. 

*American swimmer Michael Phelps breaks Mark Spitz's record, winning eight gold medals in a single Olympic Games. 

2) 1997 Issue: Tyra Banks

The 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Tyra Banks—she was the first African American to appear on the cover in 1996, and made history again by appearing on the cover alone in 1997. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Viscous Attacks

*Heavyweights Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield face off in the ring, but Holyfield gets more than he bargained for when Tyson takes a bite out of his ear. 

*Broadcaster Marv Albert pleads guilty to the sexual assault of a woman who accused Albert of, among other things, biting her. 

*Golden State Warriors' Latrell Sprewell is suspended and traded to the Knicks after attacking his own coach for suggesting he make crisper passes. Sprewell threatened to kill him and dragged him to the ground by his throat, choking him for 10-15 seconds before being subdued. 

1) 2010 Issue: Broolyn Decker

The 2010 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition featured model Brooklyn Decker—the wife of tennis disappointment Andy Roddick. 

Biggest sports stories of the Year: Drama. Lots of Drama. 

*Tiger Woods continued to deal with the fallout as his countless infidelities continued to become public. 

*Washington Wizards problem child Gilbert Arenas reportedly pulled a gun on a teammate in the locker room over a gambling debt. 

*NBA player Tony Parker and actress Eva Longoria file for divorce amid rumors Parker was cheating on Longoria with the wife of a former teammate. 

*LeBron James announces he will be taking his talents to South Beach via an hour-long special on ESPN. 

*Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is accused of sexual assault after a night out in a club in Milledgeville, Georgia. 

*Deadspin.com reports that quarterback Brett Favre had been sending sexually explicit texts for former Jets employee Jenn Sterger.