ESPN To Launch New Web Site Devoted To Chicago Sports Scene

ESPN in April "will launch its first Web site devoted to local" sports fans with the debut of ESPNChicago.com, according to Eric Benderoff of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. ESPN VP/Digital Partnerships Marc Horine said the Web site will provide a "24/7 Chicago sports news operation." Benderoff noted prospective advertisers previewed the site last week, and MillerCoors "will be the site's charter advertiser." If the venture is successful, ESPN "could roll out more city-specific sites across the country." In addition to sports news, ESPN Chicago "will have social-networking aspects, a travel partnership and even a way to organize your local softball team." The site "will feature its own 'SportsCenter'-style newscast with a three- to five-minute highlight reel of the day's top stories." There also will be "original content and include breaking news," provided by Chicago's WLS-ABC. ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski, a former Chicago Tribune sports writer, "will write for the site," as will ESPN Radio 1000 Chicago personalities Tom Waddle and Bruce Levine (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 2/18). AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Brian Powell writes, "I wonder why they went with Chicago, over the likes of New York and DC? Seems unlikely that this will succeed, but who knows" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 2/19).