New ESPN.com Design

Most comments about the new ESPN.com design, which was about a year in the making, likely focus on the increased video/audio components, or at least their bump in publicity.

However, my favorite aspect of the new site is the “Editor’s Choice” feature. Today it asks whether yesterday’s hit on Willis McGahee was merely legal violence, or against the rules. Maybe I respect the feature simply because it says “Editor” above, or maybe it’s a worthy replacement of the endless “SportsNation” promotions, which don’t provoke much insight. For example, today’s SportsNation question: “Which team is more likely to return to the playoffs next year? The Eagles or the Ravens?”

Um, after this NFL season, we have no idea. We can speculate endlessly about Donovan McNabb’s health or Joe Flacco’s maturation, and we will, but it ultimately comes down to offseason moves, health, and a host of other decisions or strokes of luck. Meanwhile, the editor’s choice feature asks a significant judgment question with actual implications.

~ by ericmonek on January 19, 2009.