Mike Levy Launches Beta Version Of New Web Site OpenSports.com

By Bill King, Senior Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

SportsLine Founder Launches Beta Test For OpenSports.com

SportsLine Founder Mike Levy has launched the beta version of OpenSports.com, a Web site that aims to take on the established sports destinations, offering a mix of original content, fantasy games and social networking that he says will set it apart from the rest. Backed by $10M raised via private placement, Open Sports Network Inc. flipped the switch quietly with a soft launch yesterday afternoon. "I saw the four big guys out there -- ESPN, Yahoo, Fox and CBS -- and the innovation just hasn't been there," said Levy, who took SportsLine public in '97 and left after the company was acquired by Viacom in '04. Levy: "I looked at it as being a wide-open opportunity." Levy's partner in the venture, Rob Phythian, founded and sold the popular fantasy site Fanball.com. Among the investors are former E-Trade CEO Christos Cotsakos and former Office Depot Chair & CEO David Fuente. Both hold seats on the BOD. "There's a lot in our plan," Phythian said. "But the real thrust is that we're building a sports destination that's next-generation, with great local content, next-generation fantasy products and a nice simple user interface for social. That's not out there in one place right now."