Catena Media and Lee Enterprises join forces in content partnership

Catena Media to Collaborate with Lee Enterprises across All Brands, Expanding to 77 Markets in 26 US States.

Catena Media Secures Three-Year Partnership to Provide Online Sports Betting and Casino Content to Lee Enterprises, Exclusive Partner for All Brands across 77 Markets in 26 US States.

As part of the agreement, Catena Media will publish editorial and betting content on frontpagebets.com, which is Lee’s flagship betting product. Additionally, the content will be promoted through Lee’s social media channels, enhancing the partnership’s reach and visibility.

Catena Media anticipates leveraging Lee’s local news content to generate growth opportunities in their existing markets, utilizing brands like Buffalonews.com and Tucson.com, which are part of the Arizona Daily Star. Additionally, this acquisition may serve as a launching pad for potential market entries in other states, such as Missouri’s STLtoday.com, as well as other brands in Texas, Minnesota, Alabama, and North Carolina.

According to Ryan Harper, Vice President for North America at Catena Media, the company is thrilled to collaborate with Lee Enterprises, one of the largest publishers in the US. The partnership aims to provide high-quality editorial and advertorial betting content to readers across the nation. Harper further stated that this collaboration will enable Catena Media to continue its growth trajectory and reach a wider audience. The mission of Catena Media is to enhance accessibility and engagement in sports betting and casino gaming, and this partnership with Lee Enterprises aligns perfectly with that ambition.

Joe Battistoni, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lee Enterprises, expressed excitement about the partnership with Catena Media, stating that it presents an opportunity for Lee Enterprises to expand their offerings in the online sports betting and casino gaming space. Battistoni looks forward to working with Catena Media to provide readers with insightful and informative content in these areas, further enhancing their readers’ experience and engagement with online sports betting and casino gaming topics.

“This partnership with Catena Media enables us to expand our offerings in this space. We look forward to working with Catena Media to provide readers with insightful and informative content on online sports betting and casino gaming.”

Catena Media expanded its online sports betting affiliation operations in December, coinciding with the opening of regulated online sports betting in Maryland. The affiliation operations are being carried out through Catena Media’s network of national brands, including LegalSportsReport.com, GamingToday.com, TheLines.com, and Lineups.com, as well as regional websites such as PlayMaryland.com.

In 2022, Catena Media also finalized a €45 million deal to sell its AskGamblers brand to Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). The agreement includes an initial payment of €20 million, followed by €10 million one year after the sale’s completion, and an additional €15 million after 24 months. The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.