ESPN The Magazine announced the 16 athletes - eight men and eight women - who will be participating in this year's Body Issue, and the roster doesn't disappoint. This year's edition features participants from the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, WNBA, WWE, the world of golf, the U.S. Olympic team, and more.
This year's talent includes:
- New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley
- Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird
- Gold medalist Tori Bowie (sprinter)
- Softball infielder Laurie Chamberlain
- Gold medalist Jessie Diggins (cross-country skier)
- USWNT and North Carolina Courage forward Crystal Dunn
- WWE star Charlotte Flair
- LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Houston Astros ace pitcher Dallas Keuchel
- Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman
- Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig
- USWNT and Seattle Reign forward Megan Rapinoe
- Bronze medalist Adam Rippon (figure skater)
- Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice
- Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart
- Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns
The list features two retired athletes, 63-year-old Norman and 55-year-old Rice; on the other end of the spectrum, Barkley is the youngest participant at just 21 years old, edging out 22-year-old Timberwolves All-Star Towns.
In the official release, Bird and Rapinoe are listed together as a single bullet point, hinting that they will share a photo shoot for the Body Issue. In a profile on Bird last year, the future Hall of Famer acknowledged that her and Rapinoe were dating.
Additionally, Flair will become the first professional wrestler to participate in the spectacle.
Photos for the 2018 Body Issue will be released on June 25.
