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By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition is like no other. Dating back to 1964, when its first issue came out, it became a popular way to fill the magazine's pages during the winter months of the sports season. However, over the past decades, it has grown to new heights, featuring some of the best and most talented women in the sports field.
Being a part of the swimsuit edition is a huge honor, but being on the front cover is an entirely different story. That is true for NCAA gymnast and LSU star Olivia Dunne.
Dunne appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2023, but she is on the cover this time.
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The 22-year-old made her SI swimsuit debut in 2023 with a shot in Puerto Rico and again in 2024 in Portugal. However, for her cover, she traveled to Bermuda to be photographed by Ben Watts.
Dunne is no stranger to this type of shot, and SI Swimsuit editor in chief MJ Day explains why she was the perfect choice for the cover this time around.
"Olivia Dunne's why goes far beyond the floor and bars—it's about changing the game for athletes everywhere. She was one of the first to leverage the power of name, image and likeness deals, building a brand that's both financially successful and rooted in showing the real Livvy," Day said. "She's not just a social media sensation; she's a pioneering force who has created opportunities for herself and, by extension, countless other athletes by demonstrating how to navigate the intersection of sports, business and digital influence."
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Dunne was over the moon to be featured on the cover, so much so that she couldn't hide her excitement.
"Are you kidding me? Thank you so much. Oh my god, MJ, this is a dream come true," Dunne said. "I can't believe it. Oh my god. That photo is so good. That is crazy, I am a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model. This bikini ... this was the one. I felt like such a baddie in it. This is the best day of my life. This is so exciting."
Dunne represents far more than just her presence in front of the camera—she's reshaping the NCAA landscape through her groundbreaking NIL deal and the launch of The Livvy Fund. She's crafted a model for how student-athletes can strategically use their personal brands to unlock major financial opportunities and long-term success.
"It's possible for any young girl to do," Dunne says. "I want to provide education on how to get started and how to [put] yourself at the forefront of something that's still so new."
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