For 100 years — through periods of major influence, scandal, and financial woes — The Ring endured in print as “The Bible of Boxing” until, like so many other publications, it retreated into a digital-only format at the end of 2022. After a recent purchase by Turki Al-Sheikh (Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia), The Ring is back in physical form with the promise of 100-page (!) issues every month.

This issue from October 1962 shows a 20-year-old Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) dodging a punch from Billy Daniels in Ali’s 14th pro fight. It was Ali’s first appearance on the cover of The Ring. This copy is one of three graded 6.0 by CGC, and there are only two graded higher — both at 6.5. A year and a half before Ali knocked out Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title, it probably didn’t seem like an issue worth keeping in good condition.

With LeBron turning 40 today, I wanted to highlight what I believe is his first national magazine cover from more than 23 years ago—the November '01 issue of Student Sports.

When this issue came out, I wasn't old enough to drive a car. Now I sleep with a heat pad on my lower back. Needless to say, I think it's pretty absurd the guy is still playing 35 minutes a night in the NBA.

If there's an earlier LeBron cover out there, please tell me about it!

Update: @geachycards on Instagram reminded me of an issue of Basketball America from September 2001 with a photo of LeBron at the Adidas ABCD Camp on the cover. That issue appears to be much rarer than this one.

Hoop NBA Yearbook ’89 featuring a photo of Michael Jordan competing in the 1987 Slam Dunk Contest.

Since 1973, Hoop has been the official publication of the NBA, producing season previews like this one, monthly magazines, even game programs. If you’re a collector of a specific player, I recommend searching for Hoop issues — there are plenty of great covers featuring guys who didn’t often make the covers of major publications like Sports Illustrated.

There only six copies of this issue graded by CGC, with none higher than this CGC 8.5. If you’re interested in buying it, it will be up for auction on eBay later tonight. Sometimes you gotta sell some so you can buy more. 🤷‍♂️

Like most basketball fans my age, I'm a sucker for 90's NBA stuff. This copy of SLAM #1 is among my favorites in my collection.

Since no NBA stars at the time were willing to pose for the cover of an unknown basketball/hip-hop magazine, SLAM licensed their early cover photos from the NBA. This shot of "Grandmama" was taken during the 1992 Slam Dunk Contest. LJ actually missed the dunk, then talked with teammate Dell and his son—future 12-time (and counting) SLAM cover star, toddler Steph Curry.

Video: https://youtu.be/xrOMZ-1kE98?si=NJdDPsh9kPu9VLxg&t=302

Graded CGC 9.4, it is a pop two with none higher.

Recent pickup for my personal collection -- Tiger's first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated. This issue hit newsstands on October 28, 1996, after Tiger's second Tour win just two months after turning pro.

My goal is to collect one newsstand copy of every Tiger S.I. cover appearance, as well as some other early non-S.I. publications.