ESPN has announced a new initiative designed to consolidate its high school programming, publications and online efforts under a single umbrella.
Called ESPN Rise, the plan includes a new high school-oriented Web site that will include content from ESPN.com, Scouts, the newly acquired Hoopgurlz.com and RISEmag.com as well as social networking opportunities. Launch is set for August.
In addition, ESPN’s high school football and boys’ basketball telecasts will come under the Rise auspices, which will also oversee recruiting reporting. Four magazines with high school appeal will be merged into the new ESPN Rise magazine.
ESPN said that starting with the new school year, high school news would air on “SportsCenter,” “ESPNEWS” and “College Football Live.”