I’m not sure what espnW is, but I see they’re going for iPod-style capitalization with this new “brand”, so that’s something. Anyway, the new outlet for female sports fans explains itself like so:
ESPN Launches espnW, A New Website For Female Sports Fans: What Other Niches Need Coverage?
espnW is a destination for women who are passionate sports fans and athletes. We hope you find it surprising, informative and inspiring, because we created it just for you. We welcome your thoughts.
And as much as I’d like to believe they created it just for me, I’m pretty sure their target audience is a bit more specific. And in that case, let’s hold off on offering any crazy thoughts and defer to Katie Baker:
A lot of the criticism I’ve read uses the term ghetto - sometimes more specifically “pink ghetto” - to describe the site. I think that’s being rash. If anything, it’s more like the balkanization of ESPN that has already been in motion what with all the hyperlocal sites they’ve been launching. No one made a huge deal when they launched ESPN New York or called that a ghetto. The site caters to a niche and is both a complement and supplement to ESPN. I don’t see why a women’s site couldn’t exist in a similar way.”
Ugh. Level-headed and rational analysis. Where is the fun in THAT?
I will say that most of the female sports fans I know wouldn’t care about women’s soccer or the WNBA, and most of the women I know that don’t like sports aren’t going to be more likely to follow sports because of the added insight from Julie Foudy. So when we say ESPN’s catering to a niche with this one, we mean NICHE.
Anyway, since we’re here, let’s think of a few more niches that ESPN could exploit in the coming months.
espnKIDS — Not quite what it sounds like. The Little League World Series is fine, but that’s not what this is about. I think there should be a website/network devoted to following the offspring of professional athletes. You’re telling me you don’t want to watch Barry Sanders, Jr. play his high school games? Or Ray Lewis’ kids? Or the baby that Yao Ming had with his 6’2 wife? It can’t fail!
espnJEW — Hey, it’s Sandy Koufax!
espnBUST — Who in the world would be against an outlet that covers the daily activities of someone like J.R. Rider and/or Ryan Leaf? Anyone? I mean... Anyone? Seriously guys, if Marcus Vick doesn’t start a blog soon, I might just have to start ghostwriting it.
espnMTV —- A joint venture dedicated to retroactively covering every crossover act attempted by either athletes OR musicians. Garth Brooks with the Padres? Nelly playing baseball? The movie Blue Chips? The possibilities are pretty much endless here. If nothing else, this picture of John Daly with Hootie and the Blowfish needs some backstory.
espnWIFE -- Okay, we’re reaching now, but imagine website where wives could write articles about life as an athlete spouse. Hey ESPN, you want to get serious about tapping into female demographics? Give Elin a platform to tell HER SIDE OF THE STORY.
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