As part of its initiative to build networks of its online properties, ESPN announced it would create a network out of the websites for radio station affiliates in major cities across the country, according to MediaWeek.

The websites for ESPN stations in Chicago, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh will be the first in the new network.

WMVP, the Chicago station, has already had its website redesigned as part of the new emphasis on local stations. The site sports a host of features, some local and some national in scale, including team schedules, podcasts and news headlines.

Previously, ESPN created a nationwide podcast network and a podcast and streaming radio program focused on appealing to the Spanish-speaking audience.