CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. — While much of the country shivered through a brutal February freeze, the mercury exploded on Florida’s Gulf Coast this week. Just days before Super Bowl LX kicked off in San Francisco, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit dropped a digital bombshell that rivaled the on-field action: a six-cover spread featuring the NFL’s most influential wives and girlfriends.
The issue, launched Feb. 5, didn’t just showcase swimwear; it signaled the complete resurrection of its backdrop, the South Seas Resort. Devastated by Hurricane Ian in 2022, the 330-acre island escape celebrated a billion-dollar rebirth in May 2025 and served as the primary canvas for this year’s “WAGs” edition.
The Lineup: Power Players Off the Field
Forget the sidelines—these women commanded center stage. The issue highlights a shift in the “WAG” narrative, focusing on women who are powerhouses in their own sectors, from pop music to fitness empires. The roster reads like a Who’s Who of the 2026 NFL elite:
- Brittany Mahomes: The Kansas City Chiefs matriarch and NWSL owner, wife of QB Patrick Mahomes.
- Normani: The chart-topping singer and fiancée of Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf (fresh off his blockbuster trade).
- Ronika Love: Showing off a stunning pregnancy glow, the volleyball pro and wife of Packers QB Jordan Love proved maternity fashion has no limits.
- Haley Cavinder: The social media titan and fiancée of Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson brought her signature energy to the sand.
- Claire Kittle: Wife of 49ers tight end George Kittle, delivering a masterclass in beachside chic.
- Christen Goff: The model and wife of Lions QB Jared Goff returned to her element, looking effortless against the Captiva horizon.
Rising From the Rubble
The shoot carried weight beyond the glossy photos. For Southwest Florida locals, seeing South Seas Resort splashed across global screens symbolized a finish line. Hurricane Ian flattened this paradise in 2022. It took three years and a billion dollars to rebuild, culminating in a massive Grand Reopening in May 2025.
“Being selected by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit as the featured resort backdrop for this digital issue marks an important milestone for South Seas,” said Shawn Farrell, the resort’s general manager. “From the natural beauty of Captiva Island to the renewed energy of our beaches, South Seas provided an ideal setting… We are proud to deliver an elevated island escape designed for guests to relax, recharge, and reconnect.”
“You see the photos and you just smile. She’s grinding, she’s glowing, and she’s making moves. That’s my MVP right there.” — Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers Quarterback (on wife Ronika)
Historical Context: A Captiva Tradition
This wasn’t the first time the cameras rolled on these white sands. The resort boasts a legacy of iconic shoots:
- 1981: Christie Brinkley put Captiva on the international tourist map with her legendary spread.
- 2015: MMA icon Ronda Rousey brought her fighting spirit to the shoreline.
- 2026: The NFL WAGs era cements the resort’s status as a premier luxury destination.
Tamara Pigott, Lee County’s tourism director, noted in a December letter that this partnership was designed to “showcase locations within the county” on a global scale. Mission accomplished. With half the resort set aside as a wildlife preserve, the shoot balanced high-octane glamour with the raw, untouched beauty of the Florida estuary.
What’s Next
With Super Bowl LX in the books and the offseason officially underway, expect the “South Seas Effect” to take hold. Tourism numbers for Captiva are projected to spike as fans look to recreate the shoot’s vibes. As for the cover stars? They return to their businesses, tours, and families, having proved once again that the title “WAG” is just one line on a very long résumé.
