Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

ESPN has been in the forefront of sports journalism for decades on both television sets and the online space. The network has announced its latest web venture, The Undefeated, a site that will take aim at sports, race, and culture.

ESPN made the announcement today just as the 2015 NBA All-Star weekend is set to kick off. Heading TheUndefeated.com staff will be veteran sports columnist Jason Whitlock, serving as the editor-in-chief. Whitlock has compiled a staff of writers and columnists for TheUndefeated.com from various sectors of journalism to cover the website’s broad beat.

More from ESPN:

TheUndefeated.com will be the name of ESPN’s new site focused on sports, race and culture. Set to launch later this year, the site will provide in-depth commentary, long-form storytelling and insight on race and urban culture through the prism of sports. National sports columnist Jason Whitlock will headline TheUndefeated.com and serve as editor-in-chief.

The name, The Undefeated, is inspired by a passage from American poet, author and civil rights leader Maya Angelou: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

“Maya’s quote perfectly captures the African-American journey and the spirit athletes and all Americans try to embrace,” said Whitlock. “It’s wonderful to see our collective vision coming together.”

Under Whitlock’s leadership, TheUndefeated.com’s senior editorial team consists of award-winning sports editor Leon Carter, who was named vice president and editorial director last month, and former Ebony magazine editor-in-chief Amy DuBois Barnett, who joined in August 2014 as executive editor.

Although the site isn’t slated to launch until the summer, two preview stories have been made available. One piece is a profile on legendary NBA Hall Of Famer and analyst Charles Barkley while the other takes a look at the rising career of Washington Wizards point guard and All-Star John Wall.

Congrats to Jason Whitlock and the entire TheUndefeated.com team!

Photo: TheUndefeated.com