Deadspin: espn2

The Last Days Of ESPN2

Leitch — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:15:14 EST

See that logo right there? Cute, isn't it? Sure is: ESPN2, all grown up from espn2, back in the days when Keith Olbermann wore skinny ties and anchors weren't afraid to toss in a "dude" or "rad" from time to time.

Like that logo? Pretty? Well, it's about to die, we tell you ... DIE!

From an internal memo sent out this afternoon from ESPN, effective February 12, the ESPN2 logo as you know it will go the way of the dodo.

I sent a note similar to this a couple of months ago.....and the timing was wrong. This time it is a GO for real.....and is effective on February 12th.

We will be losing all on-air visual references to ESPN2 (except for the logo on the bottom line). We will rebrand the network as ESPN.

This includes all mic flags, banners, insert graphics, studio graphics, wipes and animations. Everything will be branded ESPN (not ESPN 2, ESPNHD...) This is part of the 48 hours of ESPN branding initiative. Please identify and deal with issues arising from this initiative.

Please pass this message along to anyone in your groups who need to know. Send us your questions and issues.

In a followup email, ESPN executive vice president, studio and remote production Norby Williamson (NORBY!) warns against the February 12 deadline, saying George (Bodenheimer, presumably) has not "officially blessed the 12th," but that it's full speed ahead, regardless.

So goodbye, ESPN2. It's almost as if, with "Quite Frankly," "ESPN Hollywood" and, uh, pretty much every other piece of original programming gone, there was no reason for you to exist. We will miss you, kind of.

(By the way, we HAVE noticed that ESPN.com now has comments. Then can only end badly. Honestly, are they trying to KILL Simmons? We're gonna let them run for a day and talk about that more tomorrow.)

More Net Nerds Hit It "Big" Time

Leitch — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 12:45:42 EDT

We were impressed to see the folks from on ESPN2's Cold Pizza this morning, as much as we can be impressed to see anyone on Cold Pizza. We still don't think Football Outsiders is ever going to quite hit the levels of Baseball Prospectus, if just because people who watch baseball are just bigger computer nerds than those who watch football. But they're getting there: We mean, they shared a stage with Skip Bayless! They're huge!

Football Outsiders [Official Site]

The Mario Lopez Experience

Leitch — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 18:07:13 EDT

We are just six days away from the next undignified gallop toward hipdom attempt by ESPN2, ESPN Hollywood, a show about how athletes and celebrity mix. (Yep.) We'll focus more on the show later, but right now we're gonna talk about co-host Mario Lopez.

For those of you not obsessed with Chuck Klosterman and Bill Simmons, Lopez played Slater on "Saved By The Bell" and has since made a name for himself as the token Latino hunk host of various shows like "Pet Star" and "The World's Most Talented Kid." This has given him such a fan base that he now has his own Web site, The Mario Lopez Network, where, for a mere $30 a year, you can join up for all kinds of goodies, including:

A signed 8x10 photo of Mario himself A detailed biography of Mario Lopez, including details not available ANYWHERE else (not even on this web site!) A birthday card *AND* a special holiday card from Mario 2 *SURPRISE* gifts from Mario! Official Mario Lopez Network membership card Access to exlusive mailings, contests, and merchandise ONLY available to members of the Mario Lopez Network.

This is also a guy who was married to Doritos lady Ali Landry, who nullified their marriage just two weeks in because Lopez was "a cheat." Join the network!

ESPN Hollywood [Reuters]
The Mario Lopez Network [Mario Lopez]