The Undefeated (website)
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''Andscape'', formerly ''The Undefeated'', is a sports and pop culture
website A website (also written as a web site) is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Examples of notable websites are Google Search, Google, Facebook, Amaz ...
owned and operated by
ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). The ...
. Officially launched May 17, 2016, the site describes itself as “the premier platform for exploring the intersections of race, sports and culture.”


History

In 2014, ESPN announced the creation of a new website "that will provide in-depth coverage, commentary and insight on sports, race and culture directed towards the African-American audience". Editor-in-chief
Jason Whitlock Jason Lee Whitlock (born April 27, 1967) is an American sports journalist, columnist, and podcaster. He hosts a program for the media company Blaze Media, where he hosts the show ''Fearless with Jason Whitlock''. Whitlock is a former columnist ...
described the then-unnamed site as a “Black
Grantland ''Grantland'' was a sports and pop-culture blog owned and operated by ESPN. The blog was started in 2011 by veteran writer and sports journalist Bill Simmons, who remained as editor-in-chief until May 2015. ''Grantland'' was named after famed ...
,” a reference to the now-defunct ESPN sports website overseen by popular sports columnist
Bill Simmons William John Simmons III (born September 25, 1969) is an American sports analyst, author, podcaster, and former sports writer who is the founder and CEO of the sports and pop culture website '' The Ringer''. Simmons first gained attention with ...
. Whitlock said the name "''The Undefeated''" was inspired by a passage from American poet Maya Angelou: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” While the site was still in development, a
Deadspin ''Deadspin'' is a sports blog founded by Will Leitch in 2005 and based in Chicago. Previously owned by Gawker Media and Univision Communications, it is currently owned by G/O Media. ''Deadspin'' posted daily previews, recaps, and commentaries of ...
report alleged that Whitlock was “poisoning” ''The Undefeated'' with an unconventional management style that made it difficult for the site to attract and retain prime talent, with several anonymous sources documenting an extremely negative work environment. On June 12, 2015, the ''New York Times'' reported that Whitlock had been removed from his post. Whitlock attributed his dismissal to “numerous reasons, including my foolish belief that I could manage like a football coach. I learned there’s an art to corporate politics that I’m not good at.” On October 19, 2015, ESPN issued a statement announcing that
Kevin Merida Kevin Merida (born January 17, 1957) is an American journalist, author and newspaper editor. He currently serves as executive editor at the Los Angeles Times, where he oversees and coordinates all news gathering operations, including city and nat ...
, author, journalist and ''Washington Post'' managing editor, would assume the editor-in-chief position at ''The Undefeated''. On January 25, 2018, ESPN announced that
Jemele Hill Jemele Juanita Hill (; born 1975) is an American sports journalist who writes for ''The Atlantic''. She worked nearly 12 years for sports conglomerate ESPN. She wrote a column for ESPN.com's Page 2 and formerly hosted ESPN's '' His and Hers''. ...
would begin a new role at ''The Undefeated''. On February 27, 2022, ''The Undefeated'' officially changed its name to ''Andscape''.


Notable achievements

On June 25, 2016,
Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the g ...
issued an exclusive statement to ''The Undefeated'' announcing his $2 million donation to organizations working to improve police-community relations. In August 2015, ''The Undefeated'' hosted a
town hall meeting Town hall meetings, also referred to as town halls or town hall forums, are a way for local and national politicians to meet with their constituents either to hear from them on topics of interest or to discuss specific upcoming legislation or ...
entitled “An Undefeated Conversation: Athletes, Responsibility, and Violence.” The event occurred at the South Side YMCA in Chicago. Among the panelists was Chicago native and Chicago Bulls guard
Dwyane Wade Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. (; born January 17, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player. Wade spent the majority of his 16-year career playing for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and won three NBA champi ...
, who appeared via satellite. Other panelists included Chicago Bulls point guard
Rajon Rondo Rajon Pierre Rondo (, born February 22, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, Rondo played two years of college basketball for ...
, former Detroit Pistons point guard
Isiah Thomas Isiah Lord Thomas III (born April 30, 1961) is an American former professional basketball player and coach who is an analyst for ''NBA TV''. The 12-time NBA All-Star was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History as well as the 75 Grea ...
, WNBA/Chicago Sky guard
Cappie Pondexter Cappie Marie Pondexter (born January 7, 1983) is an American former professional basketball player. She was born in Oceanside, California and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Pondexter is known for her scrappy play, quick crossovers and midrange ju ...
, and ESPN analysts
Doug Glanville Douglas Metunwa Glanville (born August 25, 1970) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. He is also a broadcast color analys ...
and
Marcellus Wiley Marcellus Vernon Wiley Sr. (born November 30, 1974) is an American sportscaster and former American football defensive end who played 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Co ...
. On October 11, 2016, the site hosted "''The Undefeated'' Conversation with President Obama: Sports, Race and Achievement", a forum at
North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (also known as North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina A&T, N.C. A&T, or simply A&T) is a public, historically black land-grant research university in Greensboro, North Caro ...
in Greensboro.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Undefeated, The Internet properties established in 2016 American sport websites ESPN