ESPN Will Get More Local

After a successful first foray in the Second City, ESPN will roll out sports Web sites in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles in the months to come.

The sites will largely replicate the format in Chicago, proffering original audio, video and written content created specifically for the local market, scores and highlights from hometown teams, and integration with the local ESPN Radio station. 

That game plan, according to ESPN officials, has vaulted ESPNChicago.com to the top spot  for Chicago sports fans. In June, ESPNChicago.com logged 1.4 million total minutes of time spent on the site from nearly 600,000 unique visitors, up 112% and 57%, respectively, compared to May, according to comScore.

ESPNDallas.com is scheduled to launch this fall, with the ESPNNewyork.com and ESPNLosangeles.com are slated for early 2010 debuts.

ESPN also says it has plans to expand into additional cities, though no specifics are in place as of yet.