Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 09, 2009 at 14:03:28:
ESPN's Chicago Web venture launches Monday
Posted by Eric Benderoff at 6:00 a.m.
A new Web site devoted exclusively to Chicago sports from ESPN will launch Monday, the sports programmer is expected to announce Thursday.
ESPNChicago.com is the cable network's first regional Web site devoted to a local sports market. It will include a daily "ESPN Chicago SportsCenter" video report and columnists and bloggers covering the city’s major sports teams.
If the Chicago site is successful, executives have said the concept could open in other markets with a strong ESPN radio presence. The new Web site is the former home of Chicago’s ESPN radio affiliate, WMVP-AM 1000.
As reported here in February, the site will include original content from a number of current ESPN.com writers with Chicago ties, including former Tribune sports writer Gene Wojciechowski.
The site also will include social media tools so users can create "fan" profiles, among other things. Charter advertisers include StubHub, MillerCoors, Chicago Lincoln Mercury Dealers and Hawthorne Race Course.
Editors for the new site include at least two recent hires, Sun-Times sportswriter Roman Modrowski and Rahula Strohl, a former online producer for the Chicago Tribune and Chicagosports.com. An ESPN spokesman said there are no plans to add additional staff at this time.
(Chicago Tribune)