CHGO

What CHGO does

CHGO Sports is a Chicago-focused digital sports media platform operated by ALLCITY Network, Inc., delivering coverage of all eight major professional Chicago sports teams — Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fire, Sky, and Stars — through a multi-format content network. Its product surface spans 12+ team-specific podcasts (hosted on Simplecast and distributed via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube), daily written articles and live video shows streamed on connected-TV platforms (The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus Channel 2348, and Xfinity), an annual NFL Draft Guide with 170+ scouting reports, branded merchandise sold through its own e-commerce stores, and in-person events such as tailgates, stadium takeovers, and watch parties. The underlying technology stack is a conventional WordPress CMS augmented by Simplecast for podcast hosting and standard OTT distribution integrations; there is no disclosed proprietary technology, AI/ML infrastructure, or data moat. The company is run by a small editorial team of approximately 6–15 on-air reporters and writers, with a senior NFL Draft expert (Fran Duffy) contributing Draft Guide content.

CHGO monetizes through five primary revenue streams: (1) the "Diehard" annual subscription at $79.99/year (introductory pricing $60/year) which provides premium articles, ad-free browsing, member-only Discord access, event/merchandise discounts, and a welcome shirt; (2) a standalone $26/year NFL Draft Guide subscription; (3) direct-to-consumer merchandise sales at store.allcitynetwork.com and chgolocker.com; (4) brand advertising sold via [email protected]; and (5) ticketed live events with member discounts. Its go-to-market is community-led and product-led: free content (articles, podcasts, YouTube shows) drives top-of-funnel awareness, with Diehard membership positioned as the conversion and retention mechanism. The target customer is the passionate Chicago sports fan — a persona-based consumer segment — with secondary monetization from advertisers seeking access to that engaged audience and from sportsbook partners (e.g., PointsBet cross-promotion).

CHGO has no disclosed external funding, is privately held and founder/management-operated, and operates a Chicago editorial office with a Denver-based corporate domicile under ALLCITY Network, Inc. (Colorado-governed). The platform depends heavily on the personal brands and social-media reach of its named reporters (Adam Jahns, Adam Hoge, Will Gottlieb, Mario Tirabassi, Jay Zawaski, Jared Wyllys) and on its strategic partnership with Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet for "The Eighty Five" podcast, indicating a talent- and partnership-driven operating model rather than a technology-platform model.

Name

CHGO

Legal name

ALLCITY Network, Inc.

Website

https://allchgo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHGO Sports is a Chicago-focused digital sports media platform covering all eight major professional Chicago teams via 12+ podcasts, articles, live streaming on Roku/Samsung/Xfinity, merchandise, live events, and a $79.99/year Diehard subscription serving passionate Chicago sports fans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Diehard Subscription Membership: Annual subscription providing unlimited access to premium articles, ad-free site experience, Diehard-only Discord access, 20% off events and merchandise, and free shirt at sign-up. Primary revenue driver at $79.99/year with promotional pricing at $60/year for new members.
2. Merchandise Sales: CHGO-branded merchandise including apparel, accessories sold through store.allcitynetwork.com and chgolocker.com. Diehard members receive 20% discount.
3. Advertising: Brand advertising opportunities for companies seeking to reach engaged Chicago sports fans. Contact [email protected] for partnerships.
4. Draft Guide Subscription: Standalone $26/year subscription for NFL Draft coverage including 170+ scouting reports, film-based evaluations, on-site event coverage, and video breakdowns.
5. Event Tickets and Experiences: Revenue from CHGO-hosted events including tailgates, stadium takeovers, watch parties, and golf tournaments. Diehard members receive 20% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CHGO is a digital sports media platform that provides comprehensive coverage of Chicago professional sports teams through articles, team-specific podcasts, live video streaming on connected TV platforms, and a premium annual subscription membership called Diehard. The company operates a freemium content model where free articles and podcasts drive audience acquisition while the Diehard membership unlocks premium articles, an ad-free experience, Discord community access, and merchandise/event discounts.

Product overview

CHGO (Allcity Chicago) is a digital sports media platform providing comprehensive coverage of Chicago sports teams including the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire, Sky, and Stars. The company operates a multi-platform content business combining free ad-supported articles and videos with a premium subscription product called CHGO Diehard ($79.99/year). The core products include team-specific podcast shows distributed via Simplecast, live streaming content on connected TV platforms (Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Xfinity), an annual NFL Draft Guide with scouting reports, and merchandise. The company also organizes live events for the Diehard community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHGO: Primary brand name for Chicago sports coverage and media content
• Diehard
• Diehard Draft Guide

Products and services

• CHGO Diehard Membership Premium annual subscription membership offering Chicago sports fans unlimited access to exclusive articles, ad-free browsing, 20% off events and merchandise, members-only Discord community, and a welcome shirt.
• CHGO Podcast Network Network of 12+ team-specific and general Chicago sports podcasts covering Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox, Sky, Fire, Stars, plus general sports, betting, and college content, distributed on Simplecast, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
• Diehard Draft Guide Annual NFL Draft analysis subscription with 170+ scouting reports, film-based prospect evaluations, video breakdowns, and on-site coverage from Shrine Bowl, Senior Bowl, and the NFL Combine, updated from kickoff through draft night.
• CHGO Live Streaming Live video streaming service distributing CHGO's daily sports shows on connected TV platforms including Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus (Channel 2348), and Xfinity for nationwide audience reach.
• CHGO Events In-person fan experiences including tailgates, stadium takeovers, watch parties, golf tournaments, and Diehard Happy Hour community gatherings for Chicago sports fans.
• CHGO Merchandise Branded team-specific apparel and accessories for Chicago sports fans covering Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, Fire, Stars, and college sports, sold through store.allcitynetwork.com and chgolocker.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• 170+ in-depth scouting reports for NFL Draft coverage
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SimplecastcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2022Podcast hosting and distribution platform for CHGO's 12+ team-specific podcasts. Simplecast provides the technical infrastructure for episode hosting, analytics, and distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.
• The Roku ChannelcoreTechnology or IntegrationCHGO live shows and video content available on The Roku Channel for streaming distribution to Roku device users.
• Samsung TV PluscoreTechnology or IntegrationCHGO content distributed on Samsung TV Plus Channel 2348 for Samsung Smart TV users, providing another OTT streaming avenue.
• XfinitycoreTechnology or IntegrationCHGO live video content available through Xfinity cable platform, expanding reach to traditional pay-TV subscribers.
• SpotifycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPodcast distribution partner where CHGO's shows are available for streaming alongside Apple Podcasts and Simplecast.
• Apple PodcastscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPodcast distribution partner for CHGO content alongside Spotify and Simplecast direct feeds.
• Cole KmetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet hosts 'The Eighty Five with Cole Kmet' podcast in partnership with CHGO. Weekly content featuring teammates, NFL guests, and behind-the-scenes NFL access.
• PointsBetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSportsbook partnership offering CHGO Diehard memberships for free to new PointsBet account sign-ups. Promotional cross-promotion between sports betting and sports media platforms.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bleacher Report: Large digital sports media brand with team-specific content and social distribution. Overlaps with CHGO's coverage but at national scale within a wider portfolio.
• The Athletic: Subscription sports journalism with dedicated local team coverage across markets, including Chicago. Competes directly for the same paying local-sports audience with a similar paywall model.

Direct peers

• Barstool Sports: Fan-first digital sports media brand built on personalities, podcasts, merch and live events. Directly comparable to CHGO's community-led, multi-format monetization model.
• Jomboy Media: Creator-led sports media company combining podcasts, YouTube, breakdowns and merchandise. Mirrors CHGO's talent-driven, community-first content and commerce approach.
• Locked On Podcast Network: Network of daily team-specific sports podcasts covering every major franchise. Directly parallels CHGO's per-team podcast structure for local fan bases.

Emerging players

• Front Office Sports: Digital sports media outlet with newsletters, video and events monetized via subscriptions and sponsorships. Comparable content-and-community monetization model.
• Blue Wire: Sports podcast network producing team- and market-specific shows. Overlaps with CHGO's podcast-network content and distribution strategy.
• Meadowlark Media: Talent-led sports media production company built around personalities and podcasts. Comparable to CHGO's reliance on named on-air talent to drive audience.
• Defector Media: Subscriber-funded sports and culture publication driven by named writers and community. Similar paywall-plus-community economics to CHGO's Diehard membership.
• Overtime: Youth-focused sports media brand monetizing through digital content, community and apparel. Comparable in blending fan community with merch-driven revenue.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CHGOSports
• Xx.com/CHGO_Sports
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHGOSports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chgo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 CHGO