ESPN.com announced today that they will expand their coverage of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) by creating a new section of their site that will include matchup results, commentary, video and more. A variety of contributors from across ESPN will contribute to the coverage, including Brian Campbell, Arash Markazi, Darren Rovell and KC Joyner. Surely it’s no coincidence that this announcement comes on the heels of Disney’s investment in BAMTech which powers the subscription-based WWE Network.
“Professional wrestling fans are sports fans who are mobile, global and passionate,” said Chad Millman, ESPN vice president, editorial director, domestic digital content. “That’s the audience we’re in the business of serving.”
65 million Americans aged 12 or older are fans of professional wrestling including 17 million who say they are avid fans.
The vertical will also be the home to Cheap Heat, Peter Rosenberg’s professional wrestling podcast that launched last January, and growing to average 400,000 downloads per month already.