Name Change Better Aligns the Business with ESPN Platforms

In an effort to accurately capture and reflect a growing business, ESPN announced today that it will now brand its high school sports initiatives ESPN High School.  The new name provides ESPN the flexibility to package all of its high school sports content –for both student-athletes and fans–across all platforms.   

 “ESPN is committed to providing the best high school sports content for fans while creating specific high-quality content and tools for the athlete themselves,” said Glenn Rosenbloom, vice president and general manager, ESPN High School.  “By renaming this business, it clearly defines our mission and brings this property into better alignment with the rest of the ESPN networks and content platforms.”

 ESPN High School is a multiplatform business, launched in 2008 under the ESPN RISE banner, which serves high school student-athletes and high school fans online, in print and through televised events.  High school sports fans are passionate about their teams with current research provided by Luker on Trends showing that 55% of adults are fans of high school sports and 85% of males (12-17) are fans of high school sports.

 ESPN High School provides content for student-athletes and fans in print through ESPNHS magazines (Guy and Girl Editions); annual football and basketball preview issues; digital content on ESPNhighschool.com; television events including ESPN High School Football Kickoff and by hosting more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Boost Mobile Elite 24, National High School Invitational, Warrior 40, Area Code Baseball and Nike SPARQ Combines and Nike Football Training Camps.

 The ESPN High School brand will debut on television during the Boost Mobile Elite 24 on Aug. 26-27 and the ESPN High School Football Kickoff slated for Aug. 26-28.  ESPN will air 13 football games that weekend across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com.  The new branding identity will roll-out across ESPN High School platforms throughout August.

 About ESPN High School

ESPN High School is a multiplatform business which serves high school student-athletes and high school sports fans.  It provides high school student-athletes with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals, while offering fans compelling content across platforms.  ESPN High School assets include ESPNHS Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNHIGHSCHOOL.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook and Twitter); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball and Nike Football Combines and Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN High School is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and their fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms.

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