ESPN will launch a number of local sports portals, bringing them into competition with newspapers and local TV reports the New York Times. Local sports has been one of the last major selling points for newspapers and network affiliate which have just about across the board cut local reporting budgets.
Above: ESPN SportsCenter Chicago Edition
According to the Times story ESPN’s Chicago microsite has quickly captured an audience:
In less than three months, ESPN Chicago has become the city’s top sports site, attracting about 590,000 unique visitors in June, according to data from comScore, an Internet measurement company. Second place went to The Tribune’s online sports section with 455,000 unique visitors.
Now ESPN will expand its local operations, launching local sites in New York, LA and Dallas. The sites have very low overhead compared to papers and ESPN is reportedly seeking to use social networking features to offer coverage of high school sports.
For ESPN it’s a natural extension, in Chicago a 3-5 minute local version of SportsCenter is available online daily, and the company can leverage its scale to reach much more specific niche audience. For newspapers it’s a competitor they may never be able to beat. If you’re a local reporter, maybe a good time to look at joining them.
i intend my partner and i your way of life!!!!!!
Such superb description! I have no clue how you wrote this post..it’d take me weeks. Well worth it though, I’d assume. Have you considered selling banners on your website?