ESPN Chicago

Didn't see this posted anywhere even though the news is a couple days old. Maybe I just missed it.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/eric2_0/2009/02/espn-to-launch-new-site-devoted-to-chicago-sports.html

Two other things of note:

It doesn't look like they're looking to do much hiring at first:
http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/eric2_0/2009/02/espn-chicago-expected-to-hire-cautiously.html

And for the Mariotti crowd:

 

Chicago and elsewhere...

http://blogs.wSportsJournalists.com/digits/2009/02/20/espn-plans-local-sports-sites/

 

The Question is: Does it mean more jobs in any way, shape or form?

 

Pete, that is addressed in the second link. Not much specific information yet, though. I would guess with all the out-of-work Chicago sports writers, those freelancing gigs could be hard to come by.

From the link:

And this:

 

This project could end up going nowhere or everywhere, at least to every market that has pro sports teams or even major colleges. I can't see ESPN going all the way to small college towns and preps coverage with this, which leaves an opening in the marketplace to do that kind of coverage if ESPN succeeds with this.

 

ESPNChicago.com, ESPNNewYork.com and ESPNBoston.com have all been registered and right now take you to the local ESPN Radio affiliates. I tried a handful of other big cities, but didn't get anything.

 

ESPNDallas.com. ESPNDenver.com and ESPNStLouis.com also exist. I wonder what other markets they might try.

 

ESPNTahoe.com is not live yet.

 

But you'll be able to cybernavigate there from here.

 

This makes perfect business sense if the printed newspaper dissolves. They will corner the market, and ESPN has the resources to make this move.

How many people would be needed to run ESPNPittsburgh?

I will assume that all HR, advertising and editing will be done at one central location that is not in Pittsburgh.

 

Not sure about editing, but based on my experience, the others would be a reasonable assumption.