ESPN.com "boasts" an integrated package that is
"unmatched by its rivals," but CBS SportsLine is proving to
be a "worthy opponent," and CNN/SI.com is the "dark horse in
the race" for sports supremacy on the Web, according to
David Sweet of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. ESPN.com has
"emerged as the unchallenged champion" since its '95 launch
and it "could be poised to pull away from chief
competitors." Media Metrix reported that ESPN.com attracted
3.9 million visitors in December, compared to its closest
competitor, CBS SportsLine, which drew 2.5 million. Jupiter
Communications analyst Patrick Keane: "By far ESPN.com is
the leader." But Sweet wrote that CBS SportsLine is a
"worthy" competitor with its content-sharing deals with AOL,
Excite and Netscape, and the site's "unsurpassed" int'l
coverage. SportsLine USA CEO Michael Levy: "We have deeper
coverage than they do. ... Day in and day out we beat them."
Revenues for SportsLine USA are "booming," with a 150%
increase in revenue since '97, and the company "expects" to
post a profit in 2001. Intermedia Ad Solutions reports that
SportsLine drew $12.7M in ad revenue from January to
September '98, while ESPN.com brought in $9.7M. Levy: "A
lot of people go there [ESPN.com] as a default. We expect
to beat them." CNN/SI.com "started late" compared to its
competitors, but "benefits" from the reach of CNN, Headline
News and CNN/SI network. Meanwhile, many "bristle at the
idea" that "anyone holds a secure advantage in the sports-
site wars" (David Sweet, WALL STREET JOURNAL 2/24).
