NFL Launching Magazine in December

The National Football League is expanding its empire to the world of monthlies.

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The forthcoming magazine is slated to hit shelves on Dec. 13 via the NFL’s publishing partner, Dauphin Media Group. Joining a bevvy of already established sports mags, NFL magazine includes contributors such as former quarterback and NFL Today commentator Boomer Esaison and NBC’s Sunday Night Football sideline commentator Andrea Kremer. NFL Publishing’s Jim Buckley will serve as editor.

“We know that 140 characters is not enough to tell the stories that NFL fans need to read about their heroes. The League’s publication will be able to go places other magazine can’t go, all with a true ‘insider’s’ perspective,” Buckley said in a statement.

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According to SportsBusiness Journal, the inaugural issue will feature stories on 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, Panthers quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Other highlights include a feature on the 40th anniversary of the NFL’s longest game and a behind-the-scenes peek at the NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Morning.

The opening print run is estimated between 300,000 and 400,000, with the mag’s debut slated to hit during peak interest between Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday, reports Min Online. The publication will follow the model of ESPN the magazine, implementing both digital and television components, with the glossy retailing at $19.90 for a year subscription and $5.50 per individual copy.