Exploring the world of sports blogging offers an exciting opportunity to connect with passionate fans, share expert insights, and build a loyal following. Whether you’re aiming to start a sports blog or simply looking for ways to grow your existing one, learning from the success of established blogs is key to accelerating your journey.
By examining the strategies behind top sports blogs, you can gain valuable knowledge to help you succeed faster and boost your audience engagement faster.
This post will uncover the secrets of some of the most successful sports blogs, offering actionable steps to help you start your own blog and thrive in the competitive sports niche.
In This Article, We’ve Covered
- 10 Examples of Sports Blogs
- Common success attributes among these blogs
- How to start a similar blog in steps
Important Note: Please note that metrics like traffic, income, number of posts, and DA can change over time. Websites may also be acquired, rebranded, or even shut down. While we strive to keep this content updated, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy at all times. We recommend verifying details directly from the sources if they are very important in your use case.
10 Examples of Successful Sports Blogs
Briefly tell me about the type of content this blog publishes if I intend to start a similar blog.
- Bleacher Report
- SB Nation
- Sports Illustrated
- Deadspin
- Barstool Sports
- The Ringer
- ProFootballTalk
- The Sports Daily
- The Undefeated
- Kickette
[1]. Bleacher Report
Niche Focus: General sports, trending news
Overview: Bleacher Report is one of the largest sports media platforms, known for delivering breaking sports news, viral content, and in-depth analysis across all major sports.
Content Types: Game highlights, sports commentary, player rankings, interviews, feature articles, videos, and live game updates.
Unique Features: Their “B/R App” delivers real-time notifications, and their focus on social-driven, viral sports content makes them a go-to for sports enthusiasts, especially younger audiences.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Dave Nemetz
- Link: Bleacher Report
- Monthly Traffic: 30 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $500,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing
- Number of Posts: 10,000+
- DA: 88
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2005)
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[2]. SB Nation
Niche Focus: General sports, community-driven content
Overview: SB Nation is a sports blog network, hosting community-driven sports content with fan perspectives across a wide range of sports.
Content Types: Game recaps, fan opinions, sports news, analysis, and team-specific blogs.
Unique Features: SB Nation’s fan-driven approach fosters community engagement, with a network of team-specific blogs allowing fans to contribute and share their own insights.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Tyler Bleszinski
- Link: SB Nation
- Monthly Traffic: 12 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $200,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing
- Number of Posts: 5,000+
- DA: 77
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 16 years (Founded in 2005)
How to start a sports blog like “SB Nation” and make money
[3]. Sports Illustrated
Niche: General sports, in-depth analysis
Overview: Sports Illustrated is a classic sports publication with a longstanding history of in-depth sports journalism, covering a wide array of professional and college sports.
Content Types: Game coverage, in-depth player profiles, expert analysis, long-form feature stories, and exclusive interviews.
Unique Features: Known for its high-quality journalism, Sports Illustrated’s comprehensive analysis and storytelling set it apart, particularly its iconic cover stories and feature-length articles.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Henry Luce
- Link: Sports Illustrated
- Monthly Traffic: 20 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $400,000
- Monetization: Ads, subscription model, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 15,000+
- DA: 84
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 70 years (Founded in 1954)
How to start a sports blog like “Sports Illustrated” and make money
[4]. Deadspin
Niche: Sports news, pop culture, satire
Overview: Deadspin is known for blending sports coverage with pop culture and humor, often delivering a satirical take on major sports stories and controversies.
Content Types: Sports news, opinion pieces, pop culture analysis, viral moments, and satirical commentary.
Unique Features: Deadspin’s irreverent, comedic style offers a refreshing take on sports journalism, combining traditional sports coverage with biting social commentary and humor.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Will Leitch
- Link: Deadspin
- Monthly Traffic: 1.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $50,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 1,500+
- DA: 64
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 17 years (Founded in 2005)
How to start a sports blog like “Deadspin” and make money
[5]. Barstool Sports
Niche: Sports and pop culture entertainment
Overview: Barstool Sports is a media company that blends sports news with pop culture, often in a humorous, sometimes controversial, style. Its content is geared toward a younger, predominantly male audience.
Content Types: Game analysis, viral videos, podcasts, fan commentary, memes, and pop culture discussions.
Unique Features: Known for its informal, edgy tone, Barstool Sports has a huge following thanks to its popular podcasts and viral videos. It has built a strong community through its mix of humor, sports, and lifestyle content.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Dave Portnoy
- Link: Barstool Sports
- Monthly Traffic: 10 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $300,000
- Monetization: Ads, merchandise, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 5,000+
- DA: 80
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 20 years (Founded in 2003)
How to start a sports blog like “Barstool Sports” and make money
[6]. The Ringer
Niche Focus: Sports, pop culture, media
Overview: Founded by Bill Simmons, The Ringer covers sports, pop culture, and tech with an emphasis on detailed analysis and podcasts.
Content Types: Sports analysis, pop culture commentary, in-depth feature stories, and podcasts.
Unique Features: The Ringer is known for its high-quality podcasts, blending sports with pop culture discussions. Their multimedia approach, including long-form journalism and podcasting, attracts fans of both sports and entertainment.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Bill Simmons
- Link: The Ringer
- Monthly Traffic: 4 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $150,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, podcast subscriptions
- Number of Posts: 3,000+
- DA: 71
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 8 years (Founded in 2016)
How to start a sports blog like “The Ringer” and make money
[7]. ProFootballTalk
Niche: NFL-focused content
Overview: ProFootballTalk, part of NBC Sports, is a site devoted exclusively to NFL news, analysis, and rumors, delivering breaking updates and expert opinions on all things related to American football.
Content Types: NFL news, trade rumors, injury reports, game analysis, and draft coverage.
Unique Features: ProFootballTalk’s round-the-clock NFL coverage and insider knowledge make it a go-to resource for football fans, with a strong focus on timely and accurate reporting.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Mike Florio
- Link: ProFootballTalk
- Monthly Traffic: 1 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $75,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 2,000+
- DA: 66
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 16 years (Founded in 2007)
How to start a sports blog like “ProFootballTalk” and make money
[8]. The Sports Daily
Niche: General sports news and opinion
Overview: The Sports Daily is a comprehensive sports site covering everything from football and basketball to soccer and MMA. It offers news, analysis, and opinion pieces on major sports leagues and events.
Content Types: Sports news, game previews, opinion columns, and feature stories.
Unique Features: The Sports Daily offers a broad scope of coverage with a balance of expert analysis and fan-based opinion pieces, making it accessible to casual sports fans and die-hard enthusiasts alike.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Keith Schlosser
- Link: The Sports Daily
- Monthly Traffic: 700,000 visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $30,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 1,200+
- DA: 62
- Blog Age: 12 years (Founded in 2012)
- Contact: [email protected]
How to start a sports blog like “The Sports Daily” and make money
[9]. The Undefeated
Niche: Sports, culture, race
Overview: The Undefeated, part of ESPN, focuses on the intersection of sports, race, and culture, offering thought-provoking content that goes beyond the game to explore the societal impact of sports.
Content Types: Long-form articles, player profiles, cultural analysis, and social justice issues related to sports.
Unique Features: The Undefeated’s emphasis on race and culture in sports sets it apart, providing in-depth analysis and coverage of the broader societal implications of sports figures and events.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Kevin Merida
- Link: The Undefeated
- Monthly Traffic: 500,000 visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $50,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 800+
- DA: 58
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 7 years (Founded in 2017)
How to start a sports blog like “The Undefeated” and make money
[10]. Kickette
Niche: Soccer (Football), player lifestyle
Overview: Kickette was a blog focused on soccer players, but with a unique angle on their lifestyles, fashion, and gossip, making it a fun, offbeat take on sports coverage.
Content Types: Player gossip, fashion commentary, lifestyle articles, and humor.
Unique Features: Unlike traditional soccer blogs, Kickette offered a playful, tabloid-style look at the personal lives of footballers, with a heavy emphasis on off-field gossip and glamour.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Kickette Team
- Link: Kickette
- Monthly Traffic: 400,000 visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $20,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 1,000+
- DA: 60
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2008)
How to start a sports blog like “Kickette” and make money
Key Features of Successful Sports Blogs
A deep dive into the most successful sports blogs reveals consistent patterns that drive their dominance. These aren’t accidental advantages—they’re deliberate strategies separating the pros from the amateurs.
Here’s what championship-caliber sports blogs all share:
✅ 600+ Authority Posts – Depth wins. Top blogs cover game analyses, player profiles, and equipment reviews to dominate search results. (Related: Sports Blog Post Ideas)
✅ Thousands of Natural Backlinks – Trust is built through press features, expert roundups, and viral social shares. (Related: How to Earn Backlinks)
✅ $20,000+/Month Revenue – Diversified income streams:
- Premium Ad Networks (Mediavine, Raptive)
- Affiliate Partnerships (Fanatics, Nike, sportsbooks)
- Exclusive Sponsorships (Local teams, athletic brands)
- Digital Products (Fantasy sports guides, betting courses)
(Related: Sports Blog Monetization)
✅ 5+ Years of Consistent Publishing – The tipping point where compounding growth accelerates. (Related: Blogging Timeline)
✅ Aggressive Internal Linking – Strategic connections between old and new content boost rankings and reader engagement. (Related: SEO Linking Tactics)
✅ Rabid Fan Communities – Superfans come for:
- Insider analysis
- Controversial takes
- Interactive content (polls, predictions)
(Related: Audience Building)
How to Launch a Winning Sports Blog (Like the Pros)
Want to build a sports blog that competes with the top sites we analyzed? Follow this proven 6-step playbook to start strong and monetize fast.
Step 1: Dominate Your Sub-Niche
The most successful sports blogs specialize. Choose one of these high-potential areas:
- Team-Specific (e.g., “Lakers Analysis”)
- Fantasy Sports/Betting
- Youth Sports Training
- Equipment Reviews
- Women’s Sports Coverage
(Need ideas? Explore our Sports Blog Topic Generator)
Step 2: Set Up Your Home Field (Hosting)
✅ Why HostGator?
- Free domain ($15 value)
- 1-click WordPress install
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Your Starting Lineup:
- 👉 Get HostGator Here (Hatchling Plan for beginners)
- Claim your domain (e.g., EliteFootballInsider.com)
- Install WordPress (takes <5 minutes)
(New to this? See: How to Start a Sports Blog)
Step 3: Dress for Success (Theme Setup)
Choose a sports-optimized theme that:
✔ Loads fast (critical for game-day traffic spikes)
✔ Shows scores/stats clearly
✔ Looks great on mobile
(We recommend: Best Sports Blog Themes)
Step 4: Create Your Roster (Essential Pages)
- About Page (Your sports credentials)
- Start Here (Guide for new readers)
- Contact (For sponsorships/media)
- Categories (Organize by sport/theme)
Step 5: Draft Your MVP Content
Publish these 5 foundational posts first:
- “Ultimate Guide to [Your Niche]”
- “[Current Season] Predictions”
- “Best [Equipment] for [Athletes]”
- “[Team/Player] Analysis”
- “How to [Improve Skill]”
(Example: Successful Sports Blog Structure)
Step 6: Monetize From Day One
Start earning while building:
- Affiliate Links (Amazon, Fanatics)
- Google AdSense (Instant approval)
- Local Sponsorships (Reach out to gyms/teams)
(Advanced tactics: Sports Blog Income Reports)
Pro Training Tip
The first 6 months are about building momentum. Study our Blogging Growth Timeline to set realistic expectations.
🚀 Ready to Kickoff? Start Your Sports Blog Now.
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