KC SPORTS NETWORK AND MINUTE MEDIA ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
KCSN to help lead digital expansion as the new publisher for five ‘On SI’ sites
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Zach Best, EVP - Minute Media, zachary.best@fansided.com
BJ Kissel, CEO - KC Sports Network, bj@kcsn.com
KANSAS CITY, MO — KC Sports Network (KCSN), the leading independent digital sports media company in Kansas City, and Minute Media, a global technology and content platform with brands such as Sports Illustrated, FanSided, and The Players’ Tribune, today announced a new strategic partnership.
Under the new agreement, KCSN will officially take over as the publisher for the ‘On SI’ sites dedicated to the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, and Missouri Tigers. ‘On SI’ is Sports Illustrated’s network of hyper-focused, localized team sections.
This collaboration brings together KCSN’s deep-rooted local expertise and community-driven storytelling with Minute Media’s industry-leading publishing technology and global reach. By integrating these ‘On SI’ platforms with large audiences into the KCSN ecosystem, fans will gain access to more comprehensive, boots-on-the ground coverage of their favorite professional and collegiate teams.
A New Era for Kansas City Sports Coverage
This partnership significantly expands KCSN’s digital footprint, partnering with a historic brand to reach a broader audience across the region’s most passionate fanbases.
• Expanded Insight: Fans of the Chiefs and Royals, as well as KU, K-State, and Mizzou, can expect enhanced reporting, expert commentary, and exclusive interviews from our team of writers.
• Multimedia Integration: KCSN’s signature podcasts and video content will be integrated into ‘On SI’ digital platforms through these articles, creating an efficient experience for fans to find the best content as easily as possible.
• Community First: The move reinforces KCSN’s mission to provide coverage “from people who live and breathe Kansas City sports,” now bolstered by Minute Media’s global infrastructure.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Minute Media to lead the regional coverage for such an iconic brand in our market,” said BJ Kissel, CEO of KC Sports Network. “Our goal has always been to meet fans where they are, and by becoming the publisher of these ‘On SI’ platforms, we can
provide even more value to the Kansas City community through authentic multimedia storytelling. Beyond our local impact, we believe this partnership serves as a blueprint for the future of regional sports media—combining hyper-local expertise with the reach and infrastructure of a global powerhouse.”
For Minute Media, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to partner with a leader in the local sports landscape. By aligning with a thriving, digitally native network like KCSN, Minute Media is creating a scalable model for high-impact regional journalism.
“We are thrilled to partner with KCSN, a network that has succeeded by building a deep, authentic connection with its audience,” said Zach Best, EVP at Minute Media. “KCSN continues to raise the bar for modern regional sports networks, and we are excited to grow in the Kansas City market together.”
About KC Sports Network
KC Sports Network is a digital media company founded to provide the most in-depth, fan-centric coverage of Kansas City’s favorite teams. Through a massive network of podcasts, live shows, newsletters, social media and event coverage from a team of more than 40 content creators, KCSN has become the go-to source for the modern KC sports fan.
About Minute Media
Minute Media is a global technology and content company built for the future of sports consumption. Minute Media’s proprietary technology platform enables the creation, distribution and monetization of digital content experiences, which powers Minute Media’s portfolio of trusted content brands, including Sports Illustrated, The Players’ Tribune, and FanSided as well as hundreds of sports leagues, teams, broadcasters, third-party publishers and advertisers. The technology platform includes, (i) STN Video, an online video platform (OVP), which provides access to a robust sports highlights rights portfolio, and (ii) Magnifi, an AI-driven SaaS platform, that enables rights holders to detect key moments and create highlights in real time. Minute Media is building the future of how the world connects with sport, powered by innovation, shared globally, and trusted by millions of fans and the partners we serve. For more information, visit www.minutemedia.com.
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