Bleacher Report

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ESPN

ESPN is a sports media company that runs television networks, websites, streaming services and apps covering sports news, scores, video and betting content. It launched in 1979 as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, dropped that full name in 1985, and adopted the corporate name ESPN, LLC. According to ESPN, ESPN, LLC is 72 percent owned by The Walt Disney Company, 18 percent by Hearst and 10 percent by the National Football League.

Sports broadcasting and digital media

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Fox Sports

FOX Sports is Fox Corporation's US sports-media business across broadcast television, cable networks, streaming, apps and websites. The corporate portfolio names the FOX Network sports arm, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes and FOX Soccer Plus, plus digital scores, statistics and news through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. Fox also describes interests in joint ventures and licensing arrangements; those are not wholly owned channels. Live-stream access and event rights depend on the service and territory.

Sports media and content

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Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated publishes sports reporting, analysis, photography and a print magazine alongside digital coverage. Authentic Brands Group owns the Sports Illustrated brand, while Minute Media has held its digital and print publishing rights and overseen editorial operations under a long-term partnership announced in 2024. The publication's own FAQ describes the handover and its continuing monthly magazine plan. Ownership of the name and day-to-day editorial publishing are distinct roles, not competing descriptions of a single parent.

Sports media and content

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The Athletic

The Athletic is a subscription sports publication producing reporting, analysis, podcasts, scores and schedules. Its official history says Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann founded it in 2016 to expand local and in-depth sports coverage. The New York Times Company acquired The Athletic in 2022, and it remains available either as a standalone subscription or through certain Times plans. Its description of the quality or reach of its newsroom is editorial self-description, not an independent ranking.

Subscription sports journalism

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The Ringer

The Ringer is a website and podcast network founded by Bill Simmons in 2016, covering sport and popular culture. Spotify says it acquired the company in 2020 and describes its work as including podcasts and video as well as written coverage. That first-party account establishes ownership without implying that an earlier publishing-technology partner owned the title. Opinions in The Ringer's articles and podcasts are editorial content, not company-verified sporting facts.

Sports media and content

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Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports is a digital sports publication and service offering news, scores, schedules, video and fantasy games. Its site lets users follow professional leagues and teams while also accessing fantasy-sports coverage and games. The fantasy area provides news, standings and league tools in addition to regular editorial coverage. Yahoo Sports is a media and software service, not a manufacturer of sports equipment; reporting on a league or athlete does not imply an official partnership. Its familiar Yahoo branding should not be conflated with an independent sports-product company.

Sports media and content

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CBS Sports

CBS Sports covers sports from high school to the pros across digital screens, with news, live scores, schedules, video and fantasy games for major US competitions such as the NFL. CBS Sports Digital focuses on live coverage every day and exclusive access to major sports events. Its site grew out of SportsLine USA, which renamed itself in 1999. CBS Sports is part of Paramount Skydance.

Sports media and content

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Overtime

Overtime is a sports media company that also develops and operates sports leagues for a younger audience. Based in Brooklyn, New York, it owns basketball properties OTE and OT Select and American football properties OT7 and OT Nationals. Its wider content network includes football and other sports channels. The company says it produces more than 150 pieces of original sports content each week and reaches over 115 million followers globally; these are company-reported audience figures. Overtime's business model includes sponsorships, brand partnerships, e-commerce, licensing and media rights. Founded in 2016, it combines digital storytelling with organized competition and opportunities for athletes to build an audience.

Sports media and athlete-development leagues