side note: I'm not attacking you or anything, just debating really. Please excuse me if I sound rude.
I agree that magazines that talk about sports should definitely feature actual athletes and yes female athletes as well. To be honest, the whole point of the model on the cover is to attract readers, which seems to be mostly straight men. Its their core demographic, not because they only want to cater to men, but because that's the audience that brings them the most revenue. To them, its not about promoting a message or agenda, its about attracting the audience that will give you the most readership and money.
I am going to clearly say, yes, it would be wonderful to see them feature female athletes & use less Photoshop on model bodies but to them, its not profitable. I know its ridiculous and frankly very sexist but they care more about revenue than being morally sound.
You're asking a major magazine go cater to an audience that frankly has not shown much interest into their type of columns. Erotica novels major demographic is women yet you do not see many 'meninists' asking for more male empowered erotica. Publishing companies know that sort of thing just wouldn't sell well. Hell, even the majority readers of gay erotica are women as well.
There are other publications that cater mostly to women and even indie magazines that talk more about feminism and activism as well.
To be completely honest, the only people who can push change on media outlets are the audience themselves. Dont buy these magazines, talk with your wallet. If these publications realize theyre losing money from publishing misogynistic prints, then they will have no choice to push a more body positive, diverse mag.
The media is free to publish what they please, even if you disagree with them but change to these types of outlets will not happen unless readers speak with their wallets & show they mean business.
Tell your friends and family not to buy the magazine, email their advertisers, make a petition. If you have a mass following and enough support, they would have no choice but to respond