ESPN is exploring options to distance itself from Nate Silver’s website FiveThirtyEight, according to a report published Thursday.
The Big League reports that Silver's website has gained "significant interest," according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Possible options for the data analytics website include a sale to the Atlantic or another news outlet. Other possibilities include moving the platform elsewhere under the Walt Disney Co. umbrella, most likely integrated into ABC News.
An ESPN spokesperson said the network is exploring a "variety of options" for the website, which is known for offering a perspective grounded in data analytics on both policy and sports.
"FiveThirtyEight is a tremendous asset to ESPN, and together we’ve created exceptional content. We are exploring, with Nate, a variety of options for the future, and any discussion of exactly what that might look like would be premature," the spokesperson said.
FiveThirtyEight was acquired by ESPN from the New York Times in 2013 after Silver’s projections of the 2012 elections were on-target.
The potential move comes as ESPN has ramped up rebranding efforts in the wake of struggling ratings, and soon after the resignation of CEO John Skipper. Over the past 26 months, the network has laid off over 550 employees.
In the past year in particular, the network has also come under scrutiny for becoming "too political." Kevin Merida, ESPN’s senior vice president, spoke to staffers recently about the network's priorities.
"ESPN’s focus is sports," he said. "By-and-large we are not experts on politics, healthcare policies, terrorism, commerce–that’s not what we do."
At this time it’s unclear what will happen to FiveThirtyEight, especially if it is acquired by an outlet that covers sport but not politics, or vise versa.