ESPN launched a new localized version of their website today ESPNchicago.com. The content on the site is pretty much as would be expected, top stories, videos, Chicago news, headlines, columnists and bloggers. The one feature I enjoyed was the Chicago SportsCenter video from last night that had stories and highlights from the Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls and Mel Kyper's Bears Draft predictions. Chris Berman was the on-air host for the initial Chicago SportsCenter...I would expect them to use a variety of on-air host for this ongoing feature.
The site is actually the re-branding of their radio website which is pretty smart as it enables them to have a bigger presence than just the radio personalities and their shows. I believe the radio staff is also charged with managing the content and selling the ad inventory on the site.
If successful I would expect ESPN to roll this concept out in a number of top tier markets where they have a radio presence. It will be interesting to see if Comcast SportsNet Chicago counters ESPN's local play with a more aggressive web presence here in Chicago.