How To Pitch: Slam

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Circulation: 200,000
Frequency: 10 issues per year
Special issues: "Kicks," a sneaker special issue, August

Background: Slam launched in 1996 as a youth-oriented basketball magazine to fill a void for the hard-core basketball fan. The magazine covers National Basketball Association players and teams most prominently and brings its target 17-year-old male audience up-close stories using a voice with a hip-hop sensibility. "Much more youth-oriented in our writing and story selection than veteran mags like Sports Illustrated, the voice was something our readers could relate to, rather than the typical older sports writer," says managing editor Susan Price.

Unlike other publications, Slam doesn't publish negative stories about teams or players. This is because the editors love basketball and, as fans, want to share their love of the game with readers. Therefore, the magazine's editorial mission is to cover all levels of basketball in a real, genuine way, while letting players be themselves, 100 percent. "There's a lot of negativity in today's sports writing, and while we can poke fun with the best of them (just read our monthly "NOYZ" column), we generally leave that to the mainstream outlets," says Price. ...

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