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| Page 3 will mix sports and celebs. |
ESPN.com this week plans to launch "Page 3," a new section of the site devoted to the crossover between sports and entertainment, according to ESPN executives.
Page 3 will aim to take the same edgy, humorous approach to sports featured on espn.com's Page 2, but apply it to the entertainment world. The idea for the launch is to create a place for the overflow of ideas generated around Page 2 and to reach more nontraditional sports fans who have less interest in the games themselves.
"Actors want to be athletes, athletes want to be actors, and all of them want to be rock stars," said Neal Scarbrough, vice president and editor in chief of espn.com, in a release to go out this week.
Mazda has signed on for an undisclosed amount as an advertiser for Page 3 as part of an effort by the carmaker to tout its new Mazda 3.
"Page 3 provides an ideal forum to communicate Mazda's message to our core audience," said Eric Johnston, director of marketing for Mazda USA.
One section of the new page, called "How Good Were They," will look at the high school or college sports careers of movie stars, musicians and other celebrities. "Fan2Fan, Face2Face" will feature a transcribed interview between an athlete and a celebrity who have a mutual admiration. "Playlist" will offer a look at music being listened to by athletes and entertainers.
Original columns scheduled near the launch of Page 3 include "The 100 Greatest Sports Moments from The Simpsons;" "Super Fan Showdown: Jack vs. Spike," featuring L.A.'s Nicholson and New York's Lee; and "An Athlete's Guide to SNL," which will look at athletes' appearances on "Saturday Night Live."
