WEHCO Media Inc. announced Monday that all Hawgs Illustrated online content, including stories, columns and message boards, will now be found at WholeHogSports.com, a move that puts the most comprehensive collection of Razorbacks sports coverage available on a single website.
"Hawgs Illustrated has been affiliated with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 2009, but our Razorback websites have remained separate,” Clay Henry, Hawgs Illustrated’s publisher, wrote in a letter to subscribers. “By merging our website properties, we are able to expand our coverage and provide you with more content such as commentaries, analysis and recruiting information.
"I believe this merger will provide a Razorback news website unlike any in the Internet age. With features such as premium message boards, this site gives fans access to the most reputable reporters on the Razorback beat.”
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WholeHogSports.com features game previews and coverage, recruiting news, photo galleries and videos. Stories and columns by Clay Henry, Dudley Dawson, Wally Hall, Richard Davenport, Nate Allen and more will all be found on the site, and the writers will interact with readers on message boards.
Matt Jones, the online sports director for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, said the merger presents a unique opportunity in an era of aggregated sports news.
“We strive to produce original content, both written and digital, and the addition of Hawgs Illustrated’s resources will give us a greater ability to do that,” Jones said. “Our goal is to present an overall product that will educate, enlighten and entertain readers, and serve as the strongest, most trusted voice in Razorback sports."
Hawgs Illustrated is no longer part of the Scout online network, so Hawgs Illustrated users will have to re-register on WholeHogSports.com. The magazine will continue to produce 20 issues per year.
Print coverage in the magazine and newspaper are not affected by the merger of online products. No jobs will be cut as part of the restructuring.
Access to WholeHogSports.com is included with subscriptions to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Complete details of subscription options are available at WholeHogSports.com. All content at WholeHogSports.com is free until Aug. 1, after which the site will have a mix of free and premium content.
Conan Gallaty, WEHCO Media’s executive vice president for digital, said Razorback sports coverage is essential for many readers in Arkansas and nationwide.
“We are pleased to offer subscribers even more content with the addition of Hawgs Illustrated,” Gallaty said. “Through WholeHogSports.com, Razorback fans will have the best content from the top sports journalists in the state. It’s a real win for readers of the newspaper and magazine and for our online subscribers across the country.”