New York, NY, December 17 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED features sports in the state of South Dakota, as part of the 50 state-specific sections that are being published in the magazine in conjunction with SI's yearlong 50th anniversary celebration.

Identifying the Lakota Nation Invitational as an event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by NBC anchor and SD native Tom Brokaw, plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The South Dakota edition hits newsstands beginning today Wednesday, December 17, 2003. Newsstand copies in South Dakota feature a cover-flap identifying the special South Dakota section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• "Small Wonder," in which Tom Brokaw, born and raised in South Dakota and now anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, explains how little-school feats are the big moments for South Dakota natives.

• "Hoops Dreams," in which SI senior writer Kelli Anderson takes a look at the Lakota Nation Invitational, where the hoops passion and culture of American Indians are honored.

• The Poll: South Dakota residents weigh in on sports in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:
  o Favorite major league baseball team ..................Minnesota Twins (41%)
  o Favorite NFL team ..................Minnesota Vikings (33%)
  o State's biggest rival ..................North Dakota (29%)
  o Favorite sport to play ..................Golf (19%)
  o Favorite sport to watch on TV (multiple responses allowed)...... Football (75%); Winter Olympics (49%), Baseball (44%), Summer Olympics (43%), and Basketball (36%).

• Enemy of the State: South Dakota is Minnesota Vikings territory, hence Favre's selection as No. 1 Enemy. (Following Favre are Al Davis (7%) and George Steinbrenner (5%)? Go figure.) Respondents' most hated opponents: the Green Bay Packers (21%) and the North Dakota State Bison (11%)

• Greatest Moment - Editor's pick. When he was asked after the 1964 Olympic 10,000-meter final if he had been worried about Billy Mills, prerace favorite Ron Clarke snapped, "Worried about him? I never heard of him." Mills, a 26-year-old South Dakotan, sprinted pass Clark in the final stretch to stun the crowd of 75,000 in Tokyo and became the only American to ever win gold in the 10,000.

• Sportstown: Sioux Falls earned Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Sportstown honors for having South Dakota's best community sports programs.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort is a year long celebration of sports in America and will continue through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that is traveling to unique sports events in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy, MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Danny Ferrauiola/Edelman (212) 704-8299      Michelle Naughton/Edelman (212) 642-7796