The Nation Network

What The Nation Network does

The Nation Network operates a North American digital sports media network anchored on independent, fan-first coverage of the NHL, NBA, and MLB. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Toronto (with founding roots in Edmonton), the company operates 10+ team-specific community websites (Oilers Nation, Flames Nation, Canucks Army, The Leafs Nation, Blue Jays Nation, Raptors Republic) alongside two wholly-owned sub-brands—Daily Faceoff (NHL breaking news and fantasy hockey) and Hockey Fights (fight video, statistics, and fan forums). The network also produces 28+ podcasts and shows (Daily Faceoff Live, DFO Rundown, DFO Fantasy Podcast, Morning Cuppa Hockey, among others), reaching 10M+ annual web page views, 5M+ annual show streams, and 8M+ combined social media followers across North America (Canada and USA).

Underlying the editorial core is a multi-platform distribution stack spanning owned-and-operated websites, podcast hosting, and social media accounts, supported by an in-house audio/video production capability led by a Head of Original Production. The company also runs a 'Beyond The Game' lifestyle engagement layer comprising Nation Vacations (curated fan travel to NHL road games), Nation Gear e-commerce (nationgear.ca), live events (watch parties, meet-and-greets, panel discussions), and community-giving programs.

The Nation Network monetizes primarily through advertising and sponsorship, selling display, sponsored content, and integrated campaigns to a roster of brand partners spanning sportsbooks (Betway, FanDuel, Bet365), QSR (Boston Pizza, Wendy's, Booster Juice, Skip The Dishes), telco (Telus), consumer brands (Adidas, YETI, DoorDash), and others. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Better Collective, a publicly-listed sports betting and media operator, providing parent-level corporate backing and infrastructure. Day-to-day leadership rests with Co-Founder and CEO Jay Downton and a 6-person executive team covering content, sales, IT, marketing/communications, and original production.

Name

The Nation Network

Legal name

The Nation Network

Website

https://thenationnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Nation Network is a Canadian digital sports media company operating 10+ team-specific websites, 28+ podcasts, and 8M+ social followers covering the NHL, NBA, and MLB. It is a Better Collective subsidiary monetizing primarily through advertising, sponsorship, and lifestyle extensions including merchandise and fan travel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Media

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

League/Team-Owned Digital Broadcast Networks (MPAKAOAC)

Keywords

• Sports media network
• Fan community websites
• Sports podcast production
• Independent sports coverage
• Digital sports content

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsorship: The company generates revenue through advertising partnerships with multiple brands across its digital platforms, websites, and podcasts. The network offers brand integration opportunities including display advertising, sponsored content, and partnership campaigns.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Nation Network operates a multi-platform digital sports media network comprising 10+ fan-driven websites and 28+ podcasts and shows dedicated to NHL, MLB, and NBA coverage. Core branded properties include Daily Faceoff (NHL news, fantasy, and analysis), Hockey Fights (fight videos and statistics), and The Nations (team-specific fan community sites such as Oilers Nation, Flames Nation, Canucks Army, The Leafs Nation, Blue Jays Nation, and Raptors Republic). The network extends engagement through "Beyond The Game" lifestyle offerings including Nation Vacations, Nation Gear merchandise, and live events.

Product overview

The Nation Network is a sports media platform comprising 10+ fan-driven websites and 28+ unique podcasts. The core offerings include Daily Faceoff (NHL-focused news and fantasy hockey platform), Hockey Fights (fight video and statistics resource), and The Nations (network of team-specific fan communities including Oilers Nation, Flames Nation, Canucks Army, The Leafs Nation, Blue Jays Nation, and Raptors Republic). The network also produces numerous podcasts and shows, and extends engagement through lifestyle offerings under 'Beyond The Game' including Nation Vacations, Nation Gear merchandise, and live events. Distribution spans websites, podcasts, social media, and digital/live events, reaching millions of annual web page views, show streams, and social media followers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Daily Faceoff: The ultimate destination for NHL enthusiasts, delivering up-to-the-minute breaking news, expert insights, and thought-provoking opinions. Includes Daily Faceoff Live, DFO Rundown, DFO Fantasy Podcast, and Morning Cuppa Hockey.
• The Nations
• Hockey Fights

Products and services

• Daily Faceoff Website and content hub dedicated to NHL fans providing breaking news, lineup information, player updates, fantasy hockey resources, and in-depth analysis. Includes Daily Faceoff Live, DFO Rundown, DFO Fantasy Podcast, and Morning Cuppa Hockey shows.
• Hockey Fights Comprehensive collection of hockey fight videos, detailed statistics, and analysis from various leagues and eras, offering fan forums, player profiles, and historical data for hockey fight enthusiasts.
• The Nations (Fan Community Network) Network of digital hubs comprising fan community websites focused on specific teams, including Oilers Nation, Flames Nation, Canucks Army, The Leafs Nation, Blue Jays Nation, and Raptors Republic, offering news, opinions, statistics, podcasts, and entertainment for NHL, MLB, and NBA teams.
• Nation Gear Fan merchandise e-commerce store offering unique and exclusive products including limited-edition garments and special edition items commemorating team moments.
• Nation Vacations Travel series bringing diehard fans to NHL road games and events with curated itineraries, premier game tickets, and group travel experiences.
• Live Events In-person events including watch parties, meet-and-greets, interactive experiences, and panel discussions that connect sports fans with each other and with sports content.
• Off The Roster Toronto sports show featuring daily discussions on Toronto sports teams and major international sports events, engaging local fans through social media.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10M+ annual web page views, 5M+ annual show streams, 8M+ social media followers

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• BetwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• FanDuelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• Bet365minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• AdidasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• Boston PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• DoorDashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• Wendy'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• UFCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• Skip The DishesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• TelusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.
• YetiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner featuring brand display on The Nation Network platforms.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Score (Score Media): The Score (now part of Penn Entertainment) is a sports media and betting platform providing scores, news, odds, and betting content across major North American leagues. Comparable to TNN's integration of sports news with betting insights and team-specific coverage, with deeper betting platform integration.
• FanSided: FanSided is a network of 300+ fan-driven sports and entertainment sites covering every major professional and college team. Closely mirrors TNN's model of team-specific fan community websites, with comparable audience targeting and sponsorship monetization.
• SB Nation: SB Nation is a network of 300+ fan-owned team and sport-specific websites covering NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, college sports, and more. Directly comparable to TNN's team-specific Nation brand portfolio model and community-led editorial approach, though SB Nation operates at broader sport and scale.
• Barstool Sports: Barstool Sports is a digital sports and pop culture media company producing editorial content, podcasts, and video across sports betting, fantasy, and team coverage. Directly comparable to TNN's multi-format sports media approach with strong betting content integration and personality-driven podcasts.
• The Hockey News: The Hockey News is a long-standing hockey-focused media outlet covering NHL news, analysis, prospects, and fantasy. Most directly comparable to Daily Faceoff's NHL news and analysis positioning, with longer heritage and broader distribution including print legacy.
• The Athletic: The Athletic is a subscription-based digital sports media outlet covering NHL, MLB, NBA, and other leagues with deep team-specific reporting. Directly comparable to TNN's team-focused NHL/MLB/NBA coverage and audience-first editorial positioning, though The Athletic operates at significantly larger scale with hundreds of journalists.

Emerging players

• Front Office Sports: Front Office Sports is a digital media company covering the business of sports, including leagues, teams, media rights, and sponsorship. Adjacent to TNN's sports media focus but emphasizes business-of-sports coverage over fan-first editorial.

Broad incumbents

• Bleacher Report: Bleacher Report is a major digital sports media outlet owned by Warner Bros. Discovery covering all major sports with team-specific content. Comparable to TNN's team-focused digital sports coverage at much larger scale, with broader sport coverage and stronger distribution leverage.
• Sports Illustrated (The Arena Group): Sports Illustrated is a legacy sports media brand covering all major North American leagues with editorial, video, and podcast content. Overlaps with TNN's editorial sports coverage across NHL, MLB, and NBA, though at vastly larger scale and broader sport scope.

Regional players

• Vegas Hockey Hotline / VHN: Vegas Hockey Now is part of the Nation Network-style team-focused hockey media model, covering the Vegas Golden Knights with team-specific editorial. Comparable in model to TNN's team-specific Nation brand approach but focused on a single non-Canadian NHL market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Nation Network