EssentiallySports
 | |
Type of site | Digital sports media |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Founder(s) | Harit Pathak, Jaskirat Arora, Suryansh Tibarewal |
| Website | essentiallysports.com |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Registration | Registered |
| Current status | Active |
EssentiallySports is a digital sports media company publishing news, analysis, and multimedia content across major American and global sports.[1] Founded in 2014, EssentiallySports has grown into one of the largest independent sports media properties in the U.S., reaching over 500 million annual page views and 30 million monthly readers, according to Print magazine.[2] EssentiallySports operates as a remote-first organisation.[3]
History
EssentiallySports was founded in 2014 by Harit Pathak, Jaskirat Arora, and Suryansh Tibarewal — three college friends who launched the site with a $100 domain registration.[4][5] What began as a forum for sports fans evolved into a remote-first digital media company covering sports for a primarily North American audience.[3] From its founding, the company grew without venture capital, scaling through organic search traffic and fan-first content. By 2023, EssentiallySports had grown to an annual turnover exceeding $8 million, with more recent coverage placing the company's scale at $20 million.[1][4] In 2022, EssentiallySports acquired NetflixJunkie, an entertainment news website, expanding its content portfolio beyond sports.[6] In 2026, EssentiallySports introduced a brand redesign led by Martin Grasser, aimed at creating a more consistent and enduring editorial identity. According to Print magazine, the redesign focused on a modular visual system and a shift away from a speed-driven publishing model toward greater clarity and long-term brand cohesion, at a scale of more than 500 million annual page views and 30 million monthly readers.[2]
Sports Coverage and Newsletter Network
EssentiallySports covers a broad range of sports across its website and newsletter network, with a primary focus on the American sports market. Sports covered include NFL, NBA, College Football, College Basketball, NASCAR, WNBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, Boxing, Tennis, Golf, Formula 1, Soccer, Athletics, Gymnastics, Swimming, and the Olympics.[1] The company operates a network of more than ten sports newsletters built on the Beehiiv platform, serving over two million subscribers and generating more than 30 million email reads per month, making it one of the largest independent sports newsletter operations in the United States.[7] Current titles include The Huddle (NFL), Chiefs Huddle, Cowboys Huddle, Steelers Huddle, Lucky Dog on Track (NASCAR), Essentially Golf, Essentially Dunk (NBA), Essentially CFB (College Football), She Got Game (WNBA and women's sports), Break Point (Tennis), Essentially Athletics, and Buckeye Daily (Ohio State).
Other IPs
Creator Correspondent Program
In 2024, EssentiallySports launched a creator correspondent program, partnering with athletes and independent journalists to deliver behind-the-scenes access, exclusive commentary, and fan-first storytelling across its website and newsletter network.[8] Early participants included NASCAR legend Mark Martin.[9] The program was cited by Digiday as an example of digital publishers redefining contributor relationships.[8]
EssentiallySports DraftCast
EssentiallySports DraftCast is an NFL Draft podcast hosted by veteran draft analyst Tony Pauline alongside EssentiallySports NFL Editor-in-Chief Tim Wood. The show covers NFL Draft scouting, Combine analysis, prospect rankings, and trade speculation. It is available on Spotify, iHeart, and major podcast platforms.
ES Think Tank
ES Think Tank is a podcast exploring the relationship between athletes, sports, and brands, examining how sports properties and athletes build brand equity and navigate commercial partnerships. The show is hosted by Trey Holder, Chief Business Officer at Accelrate 360.[10]
ES Fancast
ES Fancast is EssentiallySports' fan-facing podcast covering the daily pulse of sports news and fan debate across major leagues and events.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "How Essentially Sports grew from $100 domain to $8m-plus annual turnover". Press Gazette. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nash, Amelia (2026-04-09). "EssentiallySports and the Design Case for Longevity". Print. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "How a few college students bootstrapped one of the largest sports media websites in the world". Simon Owens's Media Newsletter. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "These 3 College Friends Turned a $100 Side Hustle Into a $20 Million Sports Media Powerhouse". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ "The Rise of EssentiallySports: How to Build a Sports Media Brand From A College Dorm Room". UVA Darden School of Business. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ Bhushan, Kul (2023-03-07). "EssentiallySports targets US sports content market with fresh, youthful approach". Entrackr. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ "How a Zero-CAC Sports Newsletter Model Now Serves a Million Fans a Day". Beehiiv. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "How EssentiallySports' creator program benefits both sides of the equation". Digiday. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ "EssentiallySports Launches Creator Program Partnering With Icons Across Sports". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
- ↑ "EssentiallySports Unveils ES Think Tank: Exploring the Dynamic Interplay of Sports and Brands". NewKerala. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
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