Sorry, David Letterman - you’ve been trumped by Vegas. For the last two years, the “Late Show” host has been lucky enough to make the official announcement of which lovely lady would be gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue. (For those who need a refresher, it was Marisa Miller in 2008 and Bar Refaeli in 2009.)

Well, the suits over at SI decided that their big bikini-based announcement needed more pizazz than just Paul Shaffer on keyboards, so they’re taking their swimsuit show out west - to Vegas!

Read more…

I haven’t seen many images from the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit Issue™ today, but I did watch a little of this SI-shot video of cover model Bar Refaeli, via TMZ:

(SI marketing geniuses to consider selling ‘uncensored’ swimsuit feature?) 

Over the years, SI has slowly forced the models into more revealing poses. First came models in thongs in the ’90s, and now we have full-blown implied nudity on virtually every page of the issue and SI.com.

With the progression of Sports Illustrated’s racy content, that can only mean one thing. I fully expect that we will see nudity in future Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues™. Read more…

On the left, Marisa Miller. On the right, SbB Girl Crystal.

More from SPORTSbyBROOKS, (Sports celebrity gossip updated every day!):

Arizona Cardinal’s secret nudie model wife!

Russian Figure Skater Anna Semenovich buys huge new boobs, joins girl group!

Olympic Champion Pole Vaulter (photo below): “If We Are Ugly Nobody Will Be Interested.”

The best butt in women’s tennis revealed!

And be sure and check out the EXCLUSIVE SPORTSbyBROOKS Girls!

More from SPORTSbyBROOKS, (Sports celebrity gossip updated every day!):

Arizona Cardinal’s secret nudie model wife!

Russian Figure Skater Anna Semenovich buys huge new boobs, joins girl group!

Olympic Champion Pole Vaulter (photo below): “If We Are Ugly Nobody Will Be Interested.”

The best butt in women’s tennis revealed!

And be sure and check out the EXCLUSIVE SPORTSbyBROOKS Girls!

As we await the 2009 SI Swimsuit Issue, I’ve now confirmed at least two athletes who will be appearing in the issue: Russian tennis players 21-year-old Maria Kirilenko and and 20-year-old Tatiana Golovin.

(Tatiana Golovin and Maria Kirilenko)

Both are credible players, with the oft-injured Golovin ranked as high as #12 this year, and Kirilenko #18. But neither has even sniffed a Grand Slam title. (Not that it matters of course.)

(Kirilenko and Golovin)

Some advice for the girls for their SI shoots:

Pack light.

More photos of the two lovelies after the jump. Read more…

Until Marisa Miller (OMG OMG OMG) came along, the SI swimsuit issue for me had turned into Saturday Night Live (oops! “SNL”). Outmoded and largely irrelevant. Because of the selection of models, be them celebrity or otherwise, I’d completely lost interest in what was once, for me, the most-anticipated magazine release of the year.

‘

(*44 or not, would still hit it with Ichiro-like precision*)

Yeah, I’m fully aware that the SI swimmag is still the most-sold, slick paper-based issue in the world every year, and that I’m in the minority in my now-reaction to the mag when it hits the rack. Save it pal.

But I was weaned on full-bodied, classy SI cover birds like Elle MacPherson and Cheryl Tiegs. Which makes the latest pics of MacPherson a little jarring (I didn’t say disappointing, mind you).

More pics after the jump. Read more…

• WITH LEATHER brews up photos of Milwaukee all-star Ryan Braun shooting an ad with the marvelous Marisa Miller.

Lucky dog.

• THE FIGHTINS’ punch up video of the Phillies’ Jamie Moyer running over an ump who doesn’t make a goood speed bump.

• The ARIZONA REPUBLIC gets the gold for the goofiest Olympic blog headline so far: “Gay texts mom: Kobe asked about my leg”

• EVERY DAY SHOULD BE SATURDAY isn’t so sure about Georgia’s chances for a BCS title, especially with Russian tanks roaming the countrysude.

Read more…

• We’ve all been there. Your stepson borrows your car to take your granddaughters to the Steelers game and then leaves them there, so you shoot him. FANHOUSE’s Michael David Smith has the story.



• FOURTH PLACE MEDAL wonders if today’s 101-70 victory by the Redeem Team over China was the most watched sporting event of all time.
• Did you miss Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch’s fight at UFC 87 last night? Not to fear, you can watch the whole thing over at ON205TH.
• TICKET TO BEIJING teaches us that press box etiquette is quite different in China. Of course, if they didn’t cheer, they run the risk of being shot.

Read more…

Guess Tom Brady doesn’t have it so great, after all. The Pats QB lost his chance at perfection. ESPN has it in for him & his team. But worse of all - he’s not even dating one of the world’s 100 hottest women.

(That’s right, Gisele - hang your head in shame)

The BOSTON HERALD’S INSIDE TRACK uncovers the shameful news that Brady’s babe Gisele Bundchen didn’t make the cut for this year’s Maxim Hot 100. (So, that’s why Derek Jeter never hooked up with her.)

With this disappointing revelation, along with the ongoing Spygate stuff, could this week get any worse for poor ol’ Tom?

Well, if Gissie wasn’t jiggy wit’ Maxim, just who was? (With pics even!)

Read more…

GASLAMP BALL has notified Padres fans across this fine land that Kendra Wilkinson, who we understand is some kind of actress or model for periodicals, will throw out the first pitch for the San Diego National League franchise some time this year. Season ticket sales should rise just like Marisa Miller into Ryan Dempster’s arms.

However, in our extensive and rather fatiguing research for this piece, we discovered a shocking truth about Kendra Wilkinson that we can only share with you in picture form. Please brace yourself before reading on. If you were surfing the Internet while standing up, sit down.
Read more…

• WITH LEATHER notes the Friendly Confines just got a lot friendlier, as SI cover girl Marisa Miller appears at Wrigley Field to throw out the first pitch:

• Tuesday night, SbB gets back in the live blog groove, as we cover Game 2 between the Spurs & Suns. Should be a big hit!

• SUPERSONIC SOUL digs up some old video of David Stern praising Seattle’s Key Arena.

• BASKETBAWFUL follows their nose, as Tyson Chandler gets a whiff of Dirk Nowitzki’s pits.

• This should go well - MONDESI’S HOUSE drinks in news that shirtless Steelers wonder Jeff Reed will be showing up at a minor league team’s Thirsty Thursday game.

• Speaking of the Steelers, DEADSPIN averts their eyes, as Santonio Holmes drops his Terrible Towel.

• RUMORS AND RANTS shows some love for these underappreciated sports flick chicks.

• Clay Travis of CBS SPORTSLINE warns the blogosphere on the price of annuled anonymity on the Internet.

• I’M WRITING SPORTS pitches along news that last season’s Rookie of the Year candidates are experiencing sophomore slumps.