ESPN’s new content and digital business initiative dedicated to women sports, espnW, officially launched their website on Monday.
Version 1.0 of the site is a blog format and will offer fan and athlete-centric content geared toward female athletes and sports fans aged 18+. espnW.com plans to launch a more robust website in Spring 2011. Two founding partners of espnW, Gatorade and Nike, will provide content for athletes and have a multi-layered presence in the spring relaunch.
“espnW.com represents our commitment to serving female fans and athletes on a dedicated platform,” said Laura Gentile, VP espnW and ESPN RISE digital and publishing. “After more than two years of research and preparation, we are excited to create a specific community for women to talk sports and be inspired both as a fan and as a participant. We are bringing together top athletes, writers and newsmakers in a way that is authentic to ESPN but will be unique to espnW’s audience.”
The daily contributors to espnW.com include Jane McManus (ESPNNewYork.com), Amanda Rykoff (OCDChick.com) and Sarah Spain (ESPNChicago.com). The site will also feature guest contributors Val Ackerman, Gretchen Bleiler, Tamika Catchings, Julie Foudy, Jessica Mendoza, Summer Sanders and Diana Taurasi and ESPN’s own Michelle Beadle, Sage Steele, Wendi Nix, Jemele Hill and Hannah Storm.