Winning Formula: ESPN To Determine "TitleTown USA" This Summer

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

ESPN plans to roll out "TitleTown USA" as a summer stunt for 20 days starting July 4 during "SportsCenter." The competition is patterned after the news program's "50 States in 50 Days" feature in '05, which broadcast a "SportsCenter" segment from a different state each day. This time, ESPN is trying to determine which city or town should be considered the country's Titletown. The programming stunt will being in Green Bay, which currently goes by the moniker. A panel of "SportsCenter" anchors and writers will choose 18 other cities, and ESPN.com visitors will select the final location. ESPN is planning 10-12 minute items in the middle of each "SportsCenter" episode to determine which town is most deserving of the honor. The net has signed three sponsors to the effort, including Verizon, Wendy's and Dick's Sporting Goods. ESPN Senior VP and Managing Editor of Studio Production Mark Gross: "We try things. That's how this place was built. That's how it operates. We're excited about this."