Bleacher Report: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=NovemberMay 20172024}}

| url = {{URL|https://www.bleacherreport.com|bleacherreport.com}}

| owner = [[TurnerTNT Sports|Warner Bros.(United DiscoveryStates)|TNT Sports]]

| parent = [[WarnerTNT Bros.Sports Discovery(United SportsStates)#Warner Bros. DiscoveryTNT Sports Interactive properties|Warner Bros. DiscoveryTNT Sports Interactive]]

'''Bleacher Report''' (often abbreviated as '''B/R''') is a website that focuses on sport and sports culture. Its headquarters are in [[San Francisco]], with offices in New York City and [[London]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Angelova, Kamelia|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/saicast-bleacher-report-2011-7|title=Bleacher Report CEO: Why Slideshows Are A Good Thing For Readers – SAICast|work=Business Insider|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=July 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716141348/https://www.businessinsider.com/saicast-bleacher-report-2011-7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Fidelman, Mark|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bleacherreportcom-is-trouncing-espncom-by-using-social-business-principles-2011-3|title=Why BleacherReport.com Is Killing ESPN.com By Leveraging Social Media |website=Business Insider|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203122020/https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bleacherreportcom-is-trouncing-espncom-by-using-social-business-principles-2011-3|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/01/20/bleacher-report-arrives-on-ipad-with-new-team-stream-app/?renderMode=ie11|title=Bleacher Report Arrives on iPad With New Team Stream App|work=TechCrunch|date=January 20, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>

===FoundingFoundings: 2005–2011===

Bleacher Report was formed in 2005 by [[DavidSam Finocchio]]Erez, AlexanderHarry FreundRyan, [[Bryan Goldberg]], and [[Dave Nemetz]]—four friends and sports fans who were high school classmates at [[Menlo School]] in [[Atherton, California]]. Inspired by Ken Griffey Jr., they wanted to start writing about sports.<ref name="Company Overview">{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/about|title=Company Overview|publisher=Bleacherreport.com|date=January 14, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209011130/https://bleacherreport.com/about|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.menloschool.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2069&ModuleID=35|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801034239/http://www.menloschool.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2069&ModuleID=35|archive-date=August 1, 2009|title=Advice from a Young Entrepreneur|publisher=Menlo School|access-date=July 17, 2012}}</ref> With the help of two old friends, J. B. Long and Ryan Alberti, the company's nucleus took up residence in a Menlo Park office space, in the spring of 2007, for $650 a month.

Bleacher Report announced the completion of a round of Series A funding on the occasion of its public launch in February 2008.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ostrow, Adam|url=https://mashable.com/2008/02/19/bleacher-report/|title=Bleacher Report Launches Citizen Journalism for Sports; Raises Series A|publisher=Mashable.com|date=February 19, 2008|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> The undisclosed sum came from Hillsven Capital, Transcoast Capital, and [[Vimeo]] founder Jakob Lodwick. Eight months later, in October 2008, Bleacher Report secured $3.5&nbsp;million in Series B funding from Hillsven, Gordon Crawford, and [[SoftTech VC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/10/28/bleacher-report-hunkers-down-with-35-million-more/|title=Bleacher Report Hunkers Down With $3.5 Million More|work=TechCrunch|date=October 28, 2008|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831154010/http://techcrunch.com/2008/10/28/bleacher-report-hunkers-down-with-35-million-more/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under the Turner corporate umbrella, Finocchio remains at Bleacher Report as the CEO.<ref name="Company Overview"/> Goldberg and Nemetz transitioned out of their respective VP roles during the integration process. Freund left the company in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Shontell, Alyson|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/young-successful-entrepreneur-world-digital-100-2011-9#12-bryan-goldberg-david-finocchio-and-david-nemetz-4|title=The Youngest, Most Successful Tech Founders|work=Business Insider|date=September 23, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204165439/https://www.businessinsider.com/young-successful-entrepreneur-world-digital-100-2011-9#12-bryan-goldberg-david-finocchio-and-david-nemetz-4|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bleacher Report named Brian Grey as its chief executive officer in 2010. Grey came to Bleacher Report from leadership roles at Fox Sports Interactive and Yahoo! Sports.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/brian-grey-to-punch-his-ticket-as-ceo-of-the-bleacher-report/|author=Cohen, David|title=Brian Grey to Punch His Ticket as CEO of The Bleacher Report|magazine=[[Adweek]]|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222112945/https://www.adweek.com/digital/brian-grey-to-punch-his-ticket-as-ceo-of-the-bleacher-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first year of Grey's tenure, Bleacher Report filled two more executive-level positions, adding Rich Calacci as chief revenue officer and Drew Atherton as chief financial officer. Calacci joined the company in May 2011; Atherton followed a month later in June.

Bleacher Report's sale to Time Warner (via [[Warner Bros. Discovery Sports|Turner Sports]]) was announced on August 6, 2012. Under the terms of the deal, Grey, Finocchio, Calacci, and CTO Sam Parnell all assumed official Turner Sports titles while retaining their management responsibilities at Bleacher Report.<ref name="techcrunch2">{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/time-warnerbleacher-report-deal-gets-ftc-nod-price-reportedly-under-200/|author=Lunden, Ingrid|title=Update: It's Done. Time Warner Buys Bleacher Report, Price Reportedly $175M|work=TechCrunch|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903052937/https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/time-warnerbleacher-report-deal-gets-ftc-nod-price-reportedly-under-200/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a press release announcing the purchase, Turner president of sales, distribution, and sports David Levy cited the site's rapid growth and loyal user base as key factors in his company's decision to make a deal—and also alluded to the potential value of Bleacher Report's multimedia platform as an outlet for Turner's various video resources:

{{quoteblockquote|As brand builders and content providers, we were attracted to Bleacher Report's fast growth to a leading marketplace position and a valued consumer destination. The site will continue to innovate and provide users and sports fans with branded news and information. With our expansive digital rights and resources, Turner will further ensure Bleacher Report's continued growth and success.<ref name="techcrunch2"/>}}

Nemetz continued with the company for eight months after the acquisition, going on to advise and invest in other media platforms including ''[[Elite Daily]]'' and ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Shontell, Alyson|url=https://www.businessinsider.com.au/dave-nemetz-launches-inversecom-for-men-2015-8|title=Bleacher Report co-founder and Elite Daily advisor Dave Nemetz raises a seed round to launch a media site for guys, Inverse|work=Business Insider|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> As part of the integration process, Atherton's CFO responsibilities were assumed by Turner corporate in February 2013, and Grey stepped down from the CEO position in October 2013. Since Grey's departure, Finocchio has headed Bleacher Report, up until September 2014.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/bleacher-report-co-founder-dave-finocchio-returns-ceo-1201682023|website=deadline.com|title=Bleacher Report Co-Founder Dave Finocchio returns As CEO|last=Lieberman|first=David|accessdate=24 October 24, 2018|date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215145535/https://deadline.com/2016/01/bleacher-13report-co-founder-dave-finocchio-returns-ceo-1201682023/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Bleacher Report acquired the popular sports-themed [[Instagram]] page [[House of Highlights]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-house-highlights-eyes-soccer-new-growth-area|author=Davies, Jessica|title=Bleacher Report's House of Highlights eyes soccer as a new growth area|website=Digiday|access-date=September 18, 2019|date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411022304/https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-house-highlights-eyes-soccer-new-growth-area/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-aims-to-turn-house-of-highlights-into-a-business|author=Patel, Sahil|title=How Bleacher Report is turning House of Highlights into a business|website=Digiday|access-date=September 18, 2019|date=March 27, 2018}}</ref>

In October 2016, Bleacher Report launched ''Gridiron Heights'', a cartoon web series featuring satirical portrayals of NFL stars and executives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/gridiron-heights|title=Gridiron Heights|website=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2017, the company announced that it was laying off over 50 employees, as the site stepped away from its open content model.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-February 10, 2017|title=With layoffs, Bleacher Report does away with its user-generated roots|url=https://digiday.com/media/layoffs-bleacher-report-away-user-generated-roots/|access-date=January 5, 2022-01-05|website=Digiday|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105232749/https://digiday.com/media/layoffs-bleacher-report-away-user-generated-roots/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 8, 2017-03-08|title=Bleacher Report's credibility took years to earn, but just one month to lose|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/bleacher-report-proves-credibility-takes-years-earn-one-month-lose.html|access-date=January 5, 2022-01-05|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In JuneFebruary 20202019, MittmanTurner resignedannounced asa CEOdeal ofwith Bleachercasino Report,operator following[[Caesars falseEntertainment staffCorporation]] concernsto regardingopen a lackBleacher ofReport diversitystudio at the company[[Caesars Palace]] [[sportsbook]], from which the site would produce [[sports betting]]-oriented content.<ref>{{cite Lennynews Daniels|author=Russ, presidentHilary of|date=February 7, 2019 |title=Turner Sports inks deal with Caesars for Bleacher Report betting... |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turner-broadcast-caesars-sport/turner-sports-inks-deal-with-caesars-for-bleacher-report-betting-content-idUSKCN1PW2PF |access-date=September 18, would2019}}</ref> takeLater overthat month, it named Mittman as CEO, following Finocchio's resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpostvariety.com/sports/20202019/06digital/24news/bleacher-report-ceodave-resignsfinocchio-afterleaving-being-pressed-by-staff-about-diversity1203143825/|title=Bleacher Report parts ways with CEO afterCo-Founder beingDave pressedFinocchio byto staffExit aboutThis diversitySummer|website=washingtonpostVariety.com|last=StraussSpangler|first=BenTodd|date=JuneFebruary 2520, 20202019|access-date=April 30, 2021}}</ref>

In March 2018, Bleacher Report announced a new [[internet television]] service known as B/R Live. The service features original studio programming, as well as live event coverage from Turner properties and other sources, including [[NBA League Pass]], all [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Europa League]] matches, the [[PGA Championship]], [[NCAA]] championships, the [[National Lacrosse League]], and [[The Spring League]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Ourand, John|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2019/01/31/AAF.aspx|title=Alliance Of American Football Signs Deals With Turner, NFL Net|work=SportsBusiness Daily|date=January 31, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> B/R Live offers both subscription and per-event pricing, and will also support the NBA's planned [[microtransaction]] service to allow users to purchase five-minute look-ins of a live game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-sports-bleacher-report-streaming-service-uefa-nba-1202737168/|title=Turner Sports Unveils 'Bleacher Report Live' Pay-Streaming Service|author=Spangler, Todd|date=March 27, 2018|magazine=Variety|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201734/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-sports-bleacher-report-streaming-service-uefa-nba-1202737168/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/turner-sports-to-broadcast-46-champions-league-matches-b-r-live.html|title=Turner Sports to broadcast 46 Champions League matches on TNT, offer B/R Live subscription on per match basis|author=Bupp, Phillip|date=July 31, 2018|work=Awful Announcing|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> B/R Live also streams all of the [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) [[List of All Elite Wrestling pay-per-view]] events|pay-per-view events]].

Early criticism of Bleacher Report stemmed from the network's initial commitment to an open publishing model. Such critiques cited the fact that all registered users on the website were permitted to publish articles on the site, arguing that Bleacher Report's policy resulted in a glut of low-quality content, which made it difficult for the network's readers to find credible coverage of their favorite teams and sports.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sellathamby, Kevin|url=https://www.battleofcali.com/2010/7/14/1569806/bleacher-report-sucks|title=Bleacher Report Sucks|publisher=Battle of California|date=July 14, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> It was also argued that the model tarnished the reputation of every writer associated with the Bleacher Report brand, which made it difficult for the network's more talented contributors to build loyal audiences,<ref name="thejetsblog1">{{cite web|url=https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/why-bleacherreport-is-retarded-part-one-of-a-two-million-part-series.54720/|title=Why BleacherReport Is Retarded: Part One of a Two Million Part Series|publisher=thejetsblogTheGangGreen.com |date=March 1, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210228195032/https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/why-bleacherreport-is-retarded-part-one-of-a-two-million-part-series.54720/ |archive-date= February 28, 2021 }}</ref> and that it empowered unqualified writers without editorial oversight, which compromised the prestige and credibility of the sportswritingsports writing profession.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waiting for the day readers march in and demand an end to the dreck|author=Kindred, Dave|url=http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/waiting-for-the-day-readers-march-in-and-demand-an-end-to-the-dreck/ |publisher=Sportsjournalism.orgNational Sports Journalism Center|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624064033/http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/waiting-for-the-day-readers-march-in-and-demand-an-end-to-the-dreck/|archive-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref> [[SB Nation]] Senior [[Mixed Martial Arts|MMA]] editor [[Luke Thomas (journalist)|Luke Thomas]] described it as the "[[Walmart]] of Journalism" and its MMA coverage "toothless amateur coverage".<ref>{{cite news|author=Kyte, E. Spencer|title=Extending a Challenge to Luke Thomas of Bloody Elbow|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/333026-extending-a-challenge-to-luke-thomas-of-bloody-elbow |date=January 26, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2019|work=Bleacher Report}}</ref>

Since abandoning the [[content farm]] model in 2010, Bleacher Report has been the subject of continued criticism for its exploitation of unpaid contributors, its blanket policy prohibiting writers from breaking their own news, and its high-volume production of low-quality, search-optimized slideshow content.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brown, Larry|url=https://larrybrownsports.com/media/bleacher-report-window-dressing-new-hires/83630|title=Bleacher Report Merely Window Dressing with New Hires|publisher=LarryBrownSports.comLarry Brown Sports|date=August 22, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref><ref name="SF Weekly">{{cite web|author=Eskenazi, Joe|url=https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/top-5-ways-bleacher-report-rules-the-world/Content?oid=2186585|title=Top 5 Ways Bleacher Report Rules the World!|publisher=sfweekly.comSF Weekly |date=October 3, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031011141/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/top-5-ways-bleacher-report-rules-the-world/Content?oid=2186585 |archive-date= October 31, 2019 }}</ref> These critiques found their strongest voice to date in an October 2012 ''[[SF Weekly]]'' article, in which tech columnist and entrepreneur [[Vivek Wadhwa]] was quoted accusing Bleacher Report of "dumbing down of the web" with "custom-manufactured garbage."<ref name="SF Weekly"/> In December 2012, a lampoon article in ''[[The Onion]]'' played on the same themes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.theonion.com/furious-bleacher-report-editor-will-make-staff-rank-thi-1819574287|title=Furious Bleacher Report Editor Will Make Staff Rank Things All Fucking Night If He Has To|website=[[The Onion]]|date=December 10, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> In July 2014, ''[[Deadspin]]'' published a lengthy narrative written by Tom Schreier, a former Bleacher Report featured columnist.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadspin.com/the-top-200-ways-bleacher-report-screwed-me-over-1608499729|title=The Top 200 Ways Bleacher Report Screwed Me Over|author=Schreier, Tom|website=Deadspin|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823014021/https://deadspin.com/the-top-200-ways-bleacher-report-screwed-me-over-1608499729|url-status=live}}</ref> Detailing his journey from hopeful intern to "just one more drone pumping content to get clicked on," in three years, Schreier "wrote over 500 articles, generated nearly three million page views, and received $200 for [his] services."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/users/291282-tom-schreier|title=From BleacherReport.com, your destination for the latest news on your teams and topics in sports.|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009163034/http://bleacherreport.com/users/291282-tom-schreier|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Initiating a formal application process for all prospective writers, wherein only the top 20 percent of candidates earn the right to publish on the site.<ref>{{cite web|author=Koo, Ben|url=http://benkoo.com/articles/biz-and-tech/big-changes-at-bleacher-report.html|title=Big Changes at Bleacher Report|publisher=Benkoo.com|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622082459/http://www.benkoo.com/articles/biz-and-tech/big-changes-at-bleacher-report.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/08/22/to-pay-or-not-to-pay-bleacher-report-finds-a-third-way/|title=To Pay or Not to Pay? Bleacher Report Finds a Third Way|date=August 22, 2011|work=Forbes|author=Bercovici, Jeff|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006210324/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/08/22/to-pay-or-not-to-pay-bleacher-report-finds-a-third-way/|url-status=live}}</ref>

*Introducing educational resources for new and veteran writers, including the "B/R U" new-media training program.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ellis, Justin|url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/08/bleacher-report-ups-its-game-by-taking-contributors-to-school/|title=Bleacher Report ups its game by taking contributors to school "Nieman Journalism Lab"|publisher=Niemanlab.org|date=August 18, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307112317/https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/08/bleacher-report-ups-its-game-by-taking-contributors-to-school/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although some detractors likened such changes "to spritzing a little room deodorizer after leaving a steaming deposit in the toilet and failing to flush,",<ref name="SF Weekly"/> apart from a published rebuttal disputing the objectivity and accuracy of the October 2012 SF Weekly article,<ref>{{cite web|author=Kaufman, King|url=http://blog.bleacherreport.com/2012/10/05/the-many-ways-sf-weekly-is-wrong-about-bleacher-report/|title=The many ways SF Weekly is wrong about Bleacher Report|publisher=blog.bleacherreport.com|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007224643/http://blog.bleacherreport.com/2012/10/05/the-many-ways-sf-weekly-is-wrong-about-bleacher-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bleacher Report has mounted a substantive response to ongoing criticism of its contributor compensation structure, news-breaking policy and search-optimization strategies.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

In 2013, Bleacher Report hired [[Mike Freeman (columnist)|Mike Freeman]] as a columnist from [[CBSSports.com]].<ref name=sherman>{{cite news|author=Sherman, Ed|title=Bleacher Report adds Howard Beck; expected to go after more writers with big-money offers|work=Sherman Report|url=http://www.shermanreport.com/bleacher-report-adds-howard-beck-expected-to-go-after-more-writers-with-big-money-offers/|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407074516/http://www.shermanreport.com/bleacher-report-adds-howard-beck-expected-to-go-after-more-writers-with-big-money-offers/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company then brought on [[National Basketball Association]] reporter [[Howard Beck]] from ''[[The New York Times]]''. He was convinced by Bleacher Report that they were on the verge of transforming its website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/why-howard-beck-left-the-new-york-times-for-bleacher-re-1349408343|title=Why Howard Beck Left The New York Times For Bleacher Report|author=Koblin, John|work=[[Deadspin]]|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> In addition to Beck becoming their lead NBA writer, Bleacher Report also added Ethan Skolnick from ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'' to report on the [[Miami Heat]], Kevin Ding of ''[[Orange County Register]]'' to cover the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], and Jared Zwerling from [[ESPN]] to pen NBA features.<ref name=sherman/><ref>{{cite news|author=Paulling, Daniel|title=On the move: Veteran reporter explains why he left the New York Times for Bleacher Report|date=October 16, 2013|publisher=Associated Press Sports Editors|url=http://apsportseditors.com/on-the-move-veteran-reporter-explains-why-he-left-the-new-york-times-for-bleacher-report/|author2=Stephens, Tim|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>

[[Forbes.com]] called Bleacher Report "one of the leaders" among sports startups "figuring out the digital space" in August 2011, noting the company's success in "providing publishing tools to all sorts of knowledgeable sports fans to report and express what they know."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lewisdvorkin/2011/08/22/whos-doing-it-right-bleacher-report-turns-knowing-fans-into-reporters/|title=Who's Doing It Right? Bleacher Report Turns Knowing Fans into Reporters|work=Forbes|author=DVorkin, Lewis|date=August 22, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> Bleacher Report was also named one of [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s "50 Best Websites of 2011,"<ref>{{cite newsmagazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2087815_2087855_2087858,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817025749/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2087815_2087855_2087858,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2011|workmagazine=Time|title=The 50 Best Websites of 2011|date=August 16, 2011}}</ref> and was picked by ''[[Adweek]]'' readers as 2011's "Best Sports Media Brand."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Beltrone, Gabriel|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/sports-media-and-marketing-mvps-138411/|title=Sports Media and Marketing MVPs|magazine=Adweek|date=February 20, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411052414/https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/sports-media-and-marketing-mvps-138411/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Bleacher Report was named "Hottest in Sports" in [[Adweek]]'s Annual Hot List.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/adweeks-digital-publishing-hot-list-winners-are-all-about-growth-and-conversation/|title=These 14 Digital Publishers Are the Hottest Voices on the Internet. Here's What They're Doing|magazine=Adweek|date=October 29, 2017}}</ref> ''Game of Zones'' has received [[Sports Emmy Award]] nominations in 2015 and 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=http://emmyonline.com/sports_36th_nomination_announcement|title=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the Nominees for the 36th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards|publisher=EmmyOnline|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915153256/http://emmyonline.com/sports_36th_nomination_announcement|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was nominated for Outstanding Digital Innovation at the 2017 Emmy Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-report-nearly-doubles-the-size-of-the-team-behind-game-of-zones|author=Patel, Sahil|title=Bleacher Report nearly doubles the size of the team behind 'Game of Zones'|website=Digiday|date=April 12, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235914/https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/bleacher-report-nearly-doubles-the-size-of-the-team-behind-game-of-zones/|url-status=live}}</ref>

::*'''Gold''' for "MJ All Day"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/2453|title=Bleacher Report MJ All Day|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113507/https://clios.com/sports/winner/2453|url-status=live}}</ref>

::*'''Grand''' for ''Game of Zones''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/at-t/game-of-zones-34830|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=AT&T -– Game of Zones|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828000019/https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/at-t/game-of-zones-34830|url-status=live}}</ref>

::*'''Silver''' for "NBA Playoff Battle Royale"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/social-media/tissot/bleacher-report-nba-playoff-battle-royale-34739|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Tissot -– Bleacher Report NBA Playoff Battle Royale|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801071403/https://clios.com/sports/winner/social-media/tissot/bleacher-report-nba-playoff-battle-royale-34739|url-status=live}}</ref>

::*'''Silver''' for "Up Your Game"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/integrated-campaign/bleacher-report/up-your-game-35821|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Bleacher Report -– up Your Game|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235915/https://clios.com/sports/winner/integrated-campaign/bleacher-report/up-your-game-35821|url-status=live}}</ref>

::*'''Silver''' for ''Gridiron Heights''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/bleacher-report/gridiron-heights-34892|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Bleacher Report -– Gridiron Heights|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235915/https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/bleacher-report/gridiron-heights-34892|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Category:TurnerTNT Sports (United States)]]