DALLAS — The crowded Dallas sports media market is about to welcome another platform to its ranks.
The digital, local sports-focused ALLCITY Network, which launched in Denver in 2019 and has since expanded to include Phoenix, Chicago and Philadelphia in its city-focused coverage, is targeting Dallas for its next move. And it's bringing some big Dallas sports media names along for the ride.
Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed on Monday that he has signed up to be part of ALLCITY's Dallas network, which he said will be branded as DLLS. A report from the sports media website Awful Announcing suggests that Mavericks writers Tim Cato from The Athletic and Bobby Karalla from Mavs.com will also be joining Stein for the ride, as are former 97.1-FM The Freak hosts Kevin Gray and Jeff Cavanaugh, who'll respectively add Mavericks and Cowboys coverage to the mix.
ALLCITY's expansion into Dallas was exclusively revealed by sports writer -- and ALLCITY investor -- Joe Pompliano on his Substack on Monday.
That news comes in conjunction with the reveal that WFAA parent company TEGNA led ALLCITY's Series B funding round, bringing the company's combined raised funds total to $25 million.
Per a Tuesday press release announcing the investment, the deal also includes a commercial agreement that includes "cross-promotional opportunities, content licensing, revenue extension opportunities and distribution via TEGNA station's linear channels and streaming apps."
Meaning? Audiences can expect to see ALLCITY content and personalities making appearances on WFAA, on the Smart TV streaming app WFAA+ and on the TEGNA-owned Locked On Sports podcast network in the near future.
"Nothing brings local communities together like local sports, which is why we are pleased to be doubling down on the category through our investment and partnership with ALLCITY," Chief Digital Officer Adam Ostrow said in Tuesday's press release. "Through its multiplatform approach, distinctive editorial voice and diverse offerings, ALLCITY has demonstrated an ability to form deep connections with local sports fans and advertisers, making them an ideal partner to further expand TEGNA's robust sports offerings across TV and digital."
Along with various city-and team-focused podcast, ALLCITY's content creators also produce articles on local sports teams and a handful of nationally focused podcasts, including ones focused on the NFL, the NBA, the NHL and the PGA.
"ALLCITY is at a monumental inflection point where the next 18 to 24 months will not only define who we are as a company but will also define the future of local sports coverage in America," ALLCITY CEO Brandon Spano said in Tuesday's press release. "We have never had more conviction about our model and our brand than we do right now. For this to also be recognized by such a powerful group of investors only reinforces that vision and increases our commitment to building America's next major sports network."
