Starting on Mar. 1, the Sporting News and AOL will enter a new content agreement, “delivering a “best-of-breed” sports destination with compelling multi-media content and unsurpassed user experience, and the premier sports advertising environment on the web.”
The editorial control on the Sporting News remains the same but it will add national columnists from AOL’s FanHouse and add North American Soccer coverage to its core day-to-day offerings.
For AOL users, there will be a link from the AOL homepage to the relaunched Sporting News website where you will be able to keep up with your favorite FanHouse writers and columnists. The new URL after the site relaunches will be www.aol.sportingnews.com.
“AOL will be doubling down on our strategy in 2011,” said Tim Armstrong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AOL Inc.
“As part of that effort, we will be partnering with companies in areas that add strength to the consumer experience and drive profitability for AOL.”
“We’re thrilled to work closely with AOL to deliver this unique sports offering,” said Jeff Price, President and Publisher of Sporting News. “By combining the strength of the Sporting News editorial resources and our continuing commitment to social media, the unique and differentiated voice of the FanHouse brand and the traffic of AOL.com, this site will become the premier destination for real sports fans and sports advertisers.”
A great move for the Sporting News as they look to get a jump start in the digital space as a top-10 sports website. As for FanHouse … it’s been real. Hopefully the Sporting News retains a large number of their talented writers and contributors.