Bleacher Report#B/R Live

Bleacher Report was formed in 2005 by Sam Erez, Harry Ryan, Bryan Goldberg, and Dave Nemetz—four friends and sports fans who were high school classmates at Menlo School in Atherton, California. Inspired by Ken Griffey Jr., they wanted to start writing about sports.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/about|title=Company Overview|publisher=Bleacherreport.com|date=January 14, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=February 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209011130/https://bleacherreport.com/about|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.menloschool.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2069&ModuleID=35|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801034239/http://www.menloschool.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2069&ModuleID=35|archive-date=August 1, 2009|title=Advice from a Young Entrepreneur|publisher=Menlo School|access-date=July 17, 2012}} With the help of two old friends, J. B. Long and Ryan Alberti, the company's nucleus took up residence in a Menlo Park office space, in the spring of 2007, for $650 a month.

Bleacher Report announced the completion of a round of Series A funding on the occasion of its public launch in February 2008.{{cite web|author=Ostrow, Adam|url=https://mashable.com/2008/02/19/bleacher-report/|title=Bleacher Report Launches Citizen Journalism for Sports; Raises Series A|publisher=Mashable.com|date=February 19, 2008|access-date=September 18, 2019}} The undisclosed sum came from Hillsven Capital, Transcoast Capital, and Vimeo founder Jakob Lodwick. Eight months later, in October 2008, Bleacher Report secured $3.5 million in Series B funding from Hillsven, Gordon Crawford, and SoftTech VC.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/10/28/bleacher-report-hunkers-down-with-35-million-more/|title=Bleacher Report Hunkers Down With $3.5 Million More|work=TechCrunch|date=October 28, 2008|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831154010/http://techcrunch.com/2008/10/28/bleacher-report-hunkers-down-with-35-million-more/|url-status=live}} Under the Turner corporate umbrella, Finocchio remains at Bleacher Report as the CEO. Goldberg and Nemetz transitioned out of their respective VP roles during the integration process. Freund left the company in 2009.{{cite web|author=Shontell, Alyson|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/young-successful-entrepreneur-world-digital-100-2011-9#12-bryan-goldberg-david-finocchio-and-david-nemetz-4|title=The Youngest, Most Successful Tech Founders|work=Business Insider|date=September 23, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=December 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204165439/https://www.businessinsider.com/young-successful-entrepreneur-world-digital-100-2011-9#12-bryan-goldberg-david-finocchio-and-david-nemetz-4|url-status=live}} A Series C round in December 2010, led by Crosslink Capital, netted an additional $10.5 million.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/20/bleacher-report-raises-10-5m-now-fifth-largest-sports-site/|author=Lacy, Sarah|title=Bleacher Report Raises $10.5M; Now Fifth Largest Sports Site|work=TechCrunch|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101220006511/en/Bleacher-Report-Completes-10.5-Million-Series-Capital|title=Bleacher Report Completes $10.5 Million Series C Capital Investment|publisher=Business Wire|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019}}

Bleacher Report named Brian Grey as its chief executive officer in 2010. Grey came to Bleacher Report from leadership roles at Fox Sports Interactive and Yahoo! Sports.{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/brian-grey-to-punch-his-ticket-as-ceo-of-the-bleacher-report/|author=Cohen, David|title=Brian Grey to Punch His Ticket as CEO of The Bleacher Report|magazine=Adweek|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222112945/https://www.adweek.com/digital/brian-grey-to-punch-his-ticket-as-ceo-of-the-bleacher-report/|url-status=live}} In the first year of Grey's tenure, Bleacher Report filled two more executive-level positions, adding Rich Calacci as chief revenue officer and Drew Atherton as chief financial officer. Calacci joined the company in May 2011; Atherton followed a month later in June.

In August 2011, the company announced a $22 million growth round led by Oak Investment Partners, with participation from Crosslink and Hillsven.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/08/24/as-football-season-kicks-off-bleacher-report-raises-22-million-more/|author=Lacy, Sarah|title=As Football Season Kicks Off, Bleacher Report Raises $22 Million More|work=TechCrunch|date=August 24, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}} At the time, Oak general partner Fred Harman, a board member at both The Huffington Post and Demand Media, characterized the investment as a bet on Bleacher Report{{'}}s ability to keep pace with real-time fan interest across all forms of social media.

For many years after its founding, Bleacher Report was one of the few mainstream sports websites in the United States that regularly covered professional wrestling, as the genre is generally seen as a form of entertainment within the U.S. due to the open secret that professional wrestling is staged.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150411001715/http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/lets-hope-media-outlets-remember-what-e-in-wwe-means/ Let's hope media outlets remember what "E" in WWE means] Michael Bradley, Indiana University (04/07/2015) This continued under Turner ownership, as Turner had once owned World Championship Wrestling. Following WWE and ESPN beginning to collaborate on projects on a regular basis in 2014, other mainstream sports outlets now cover professional wrestling, with Bleacher Report having strengthened theirs by forming a partnership with All Elite Wrestling to be the exclusive home to their pay-per-view events in the U.S., as well as parent company Turner having broadcasting rights to AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage.

Bleacher Report{{'}}s sale to Time Warner (via Turner Sports) was announced on August 6, 2012. Under the terms of the deal, Grey, Finocchio, Calacci, and CTO Sam Parnell all assumed official Turner Sports titles while retaining their management responsibilities at Bleacher Report.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/time-warnerbleacher-report-deal-gets-ftc-nod-price-reportedly-under-200/|author=Lunden, Ingrid|title=Update: It's Done. Time Warner Buys Bleacher Report, Price Reportedly $175M|work=TechCrunch|date=August 6, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903052937/https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/time-warnerbleacher-report-deal-gets-ftc-nod-price-reportedly-under-200/|url-status=live}} In a press release announcing the purchase, Turner president of sales, distribution, and sports David Levy cited the site's rapid growth and loyal user base as key factors in his company's decision to make a deal—and also alluded to the potential value of Bleacher Report{{'}}s multimedia platform as an outlet for Turner's various video resources:

{{blockquote|As brand builders and content providers, we were attracted to Bleacher Report{{'}}s fast growth to a leading marketplace position and a valued consumer destination. The site will continue to innovate and provide users and sports fans with branded news and information. With our expansive digital rights and resources, Turner will further ensure Bleacher Report's continued growth and success.}}

Nemetz continued with the company for eight months after the acquisition, going on to advise and invest in other media platforms including Elite Daily and Bustle.{{cite news|author=Shontell, Alyson|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dave-nemetz-launches-inversecom-for-men-2015-8|title=Bleacher Report co-founder and Elite Daily advisor Dave Nemetz raises a seed round to launch a media site for guys, Inverse|work=Business Insider|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=September 18, 2019}} As part of the integration process, Atherton's CFO responsibilities were assumed by Turner corporate in February 2013, and Grey stepped down from the CEO position in October 2013. After Grey's departure, Finocchio headed Bleacher Report up until September 2014.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/bleacher-report-co-founder-dave-finocchio-returns-ceo-1201682023|website=Deadline Hollywood|title=Bleacher Report Co-Founder Dave Finocchio returns As CEO|last=Lieberman|first=David|access-date=October 24, 2018|date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215145535/https://deadline.com/2016/01/bleacher-report-co-founder-dave-finocchio-returns-ceo-1201682023/|url-status=dead}}

In May 2014, Bleacher Report launched Game of Zones, a parody of HBO's Game of Thrones featuring animated NBA figures.{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/05/11/game-zones-stan-van-gundy-detroit-pistons/601768002|author=Alter, Marlowe|title='Game of Zones' parodies Stan and Jeff Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2019}} In September 2014, Bleacher Report named Dorth Raphaely General Manager, taking over for Finocchio, following his departure as CEO.{{cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/2016/bleacher-report-co-founder-dave-finocchio-returns-as-ceo-rory-brown-becomes-president.html|title=Bleacher Report co-founder Dave Finocchio returns as CEO, Rory Brown becomes president|website=Awful Announcing|last=Bucholtz|first=Andrew|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=April 30, 2021}} In 2015, Bleacher Report acquired the popular sports-themed Instagram page House of Highlights.{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-house-highlights-eyes-soccer-new-growth-area|author=Davies, Jessica|title=Bleacher Report's House of Highlights eyes soccer as a new growth area|website=Digiday|access-date=September 18, 2019|date=March 2, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411022304/https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-house-highlights-eyes-soccer-new-growth-area/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-reports-aims-to-turn-house-of-highlights-into-a-business|author=Patel, Sahil|title=How Bleacher Report is turning House of Highlights into a business|website=Digiday|access-date=September 18, 2019|date=March 27, 2018}} In January 2016, Finocchio returned to Bleacher Report as CEO. In October 2016, Bleacher Report launched Gridiron Heights, a cartoon web series featuring satirical portrayals of NFL stars and executives.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/gridiron-heights|title=Gridiron Heights|website=Bleacher Report |access-date=September 18, 2019}} In February 2017, the company announced that it was laying off over 50 employees, as the site stepped away from its open content model.{{Cite web|date=February 10, 2017|title=With layoffs, Bleacher Report does away with its user-generated roots|url=https://digiday.com/media/layoffs-bleacher-report-away-user-generated-roots/|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=Digiday|language=en-US|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105232749/https://digiday.com/media/layoffs-bleacher-report-away-user-generated-roots/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=March 8, 2017|title=Bleacher Report's credibility took years to earn, but just one month to lose|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/bleacher-report-proves-credibility-takes-years-earn-one-month-lose.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308194452/http://awfulannouncing.com/online-outlets/bleacher-report-proves-credibility-takes-years-earn-one-month-lose.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2017|access-date=January 5, 2022|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US}}

In July 2017, Bleacher Report announced that it named Howard Mittman as chief revenue officer and chief marketing officer.{{cite web |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/ex-conde-nast-chief-business-officer-howard-mittman-heads-to-bleacher-report-10951064/ |title=Ex-Condé Nast Exec Howard Mittman Heads to Bleacher Report |website=WWD.com |last=Steigrad |first=Alexandra |date=July 24, 2017 |access-date=April 30, 2021}} In September 2018, Bleacher Report launched the first episode of The Champions, an animated show involving the current Champions League members of that season. There are currently seven seasons of the show.{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2018 |title=Bleacher Report pushes football ambitions with new series 'The Champions' |url=https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/bleacher-report-pushes-football-ambitions-new-series-champions/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}} In February 2019, Turner announced a deal with casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corporation to open a Bleacher Report studio at the Caesars Palace sportsbook, from which the site would produce sports betting-oriented content.{{cite news |author=Russ, Hilary |date=February 7, 2019 |title=Turner Sports inks deal with Caesars for Bleacher Report betting... |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turner-broadcast-caesars-sport/turner-sports-inks-deal-with-caesars-for-bleacher-report-betting-content-idUSKCN1PW2PF |access-date=September 18, 2019}} Later that month, it named Mittman as CEO, following Finocchio's resignation.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/bleacher-report-dave-finocchio-leaving-1203143825/|title=Bleacher Report Co-Founder Dave Finocchio to Exit This Summer|website=Variety.com|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=February 20, 2019|access-date=April 30, 2021}} In June 2020, Mittman resigned as CEO of Bleacher Report, following staff concerns regarding a lack of diversity at the company. Lenny Daniels, president of Turner Sports, would take over as CEO.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/24/bleacher-report-ceo-resigns-after-being-pressed-by-staff-about-diversity/|title=Bleacher Report parts ways with CEO after being pressed by staff about diversity|website=washingtonpost.com|last=Strauss|first=Ben|date=June 25, 2020|access-date=April 30, 2021}}

After Game of Zones ended in 2020, it was replaced with another NBA-centric series called Hero Ball, which parodies several anime shows and tropes.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

In 2021, in conjunction with the NHL on TNT, Bleacher Report launched a new ice hockey vertical known as B/R Open Ice; the site hired social media personality Andrew "Nasher" Telfer to lead the new outlet.{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Michael P. |date=September 15, 2021 |title=Turner Sports unveils 'NHL on TNT' logo design |url=https://www.newscaststudio.com/2021/09/15/nhl-on-tnt-branding/ |work=NewscastStudio}}{{Cite web |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=2021-09-27 |title=Andrew "Nasher" Telfer talks Bleacher Report's B/R Open Ice NHL vertical: "It opens so many doors." |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nhl/andrew-telfer-nasher-bleacher-report-open-ice.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}{{cite news |last=Bucholtz |first=Andrew |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Turner names full NHL on TNT cast, including new additions Liam McHugh, Rick Tocchet, Darren Pang, and Brendan Burke |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/turner-nhl-on-tnt-brendan-burke-darren-pang-liam-mchugh-rick-tocchet.html |work=Awful Announcing}}

In January 2025, the National Football League announced an agreement with Bleacher Report, allowing it to distribute video highlights and game recaps via its platforms, as well as receive expanded access to league players, personnel, and tentpole events such as the NFL Scouting Combine, draft, and the Super Bowl as part of its football coverage.{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=2025-01-16 |title=CNBC Sport: Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Zaslav turns his attention to the NFL with Bleacher Report deal |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/cnbc-sport-wbds-bleacher-report-scores-a-deal-with-the-nfl.html |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Notte |first=Jason |date=2025-01-16 |title=NFL and Bleacher Report Team Up on Highlights and Super Bowl |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/nfl-bleacher-report-content-super-bowl-coverage/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |language=en-US}}

Bleacher Report operates various verticals devoted to specific sports and activities, which include dedicated online, video, and social media content;

• B/R Betting: Launched in 2019, and dedicated to sports betting-oriented content.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Matt |date=2019-08-15 |title=Bleacher Report Launches New Football-Focused Brand B/R Gridiron |url=https://www.thewrap.com/bleacher-report-launches-new-football-focused-brand-b-r-gridiron/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}
• B/R Football: Dedicated to soccer (association football) content.{{Cite web |last=Digiday |date=2019-06-10 |title=Bleacher Report is on track to grow 50% this year, hit $200m in revenue |url=https://digiday.com/media/in-2019-bleacher-report-is-on-track-to-be-a-200-million-business/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}
• B/R Gaming: Launched in 2016, and dedicated to video gaming and esports content.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander |date=2021-10-20 |title=Why an evolved B/R Gaming is investing in its linear, televised gaming content |url=https://digiday.com/media/why-an-evolved-b-r-gaming-is-investing-in-its-linear-televised-gaming-content/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}
• B/R Gridiron: Launched in August 2019, and dedicated to NFL and college football content. The launch lineup featured web series such as Ditch the Playbook with Adam Lefkoe, the NFL Betting Show, the fantasy football show Your Fantasy Fire Drill, and Untold Stories with Master Tesfatsion, as well as its existing animated shorts Gridiron Heights.
• B/R Hoops: Dedicated to basketball content.
• B/R Kicks: Launched in 2018, and dedicated to sneakers and sneaker collecting.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-07 |title=Bleacher Report wants to turn its sneaker brand, B/R Kicks, into a business |url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-report-wants-to-turn-its-sneaker-brand-br-kicks-into-a-business/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}
• B/R Open Ice: Launched in September 2021, and dedicated to the National Hockey League.
• B/R W Sports: Dedicated to women's sports; the vertical was originally established as HighlightHER in 2019, before being relaunched in January 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-26 |title=Bleacher Report unveils women's sports vertical |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/01/16/bleacher-report-womens-sports-coverage/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}
• House of Highlights: Social media accounts devoted to sports highlight videos; acquired by Bleacher Report in 2015.

In March 2018, Bleacher Report announced a new internet television service known as B/R Live. The service features original studio programming, as well as live event coverage from Turner properties and other sources, including NBA League Pass, all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches, the PGA Championship, NCAA championships, the National Lacrosse League, and The Spring League.{{cite web|author=Ourand, John|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2019/01/31/AAF.aspx|title=Alliance Of American Football Signs Deals With Turner, NFL Net|work=SportsBusiness Daily|date=January 31, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2019}} B/R Live offers both subscription and per-event pricing, and will also support the NBA's planned microtransaction service to allow users to purchase five-minute look-ins of a live game.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-sports-bleacher-report-streaming-service-uefa-nba-1202737168/|title=Turner Sports Unveils 'Bleacher Report Live' Pay-Streaming Service|author=Spangler, Todd|date=March 27, 2018|magazine=Variety|access-date=April 6, 2018|archive-date=July 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201734/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-sports-bleacher-report-streaming-service-uefa-nba-1202737168/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/turner-sports-to-broadcast-46-champions-league-matches-b-r-live.html|title=Turner Sports to broadcast 46 Champions League matches on TNT, offer B/R Live subscription on per match basis|author=Bupp, Phillip|date=July 31, 2018|work=Awful Announcing|access-date=September 18, 2019}} B/R Live also streams all of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) pay-per-view events.

On November 23, 2018, the service streamed The Match: Tiger vs. Phil, a match play golf event between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Meant as a pay-per-view event, the PPV system struggled to keep up with demand, prompting B/R Live to stream the event for free instead, and all buyers being offered refunds.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2018/11/23/viewers-get-early-gift-tiger-vs-phil-for-free-on-br-live/38593035/|author=Speros, Bill|title=The Match: Viewers get Tiger vs. Phil for free on Bleacher Report Live|newspaper=USA Today|date=November 23, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509180301/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2018/11/23/viewers-get-early-gift-tiger-vs-phil-for-free-on-br-live/38593035/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Cunningham, Kevin|url=https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/11/24/comcast-issue-refunds-tiger-phil-match/|title=Comcast to issue refunds for Tiger vs. Phil match|date=November 24, 2018|website=Golf.com|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=November 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103154400/https://golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/11/24/comcast-issue-refunds-tiger-phil-match/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2018/11/23/match-technical-issues-streaming-affect-tiger-woods-phil-mickelson-event/2098368002/|author=Perez, A.J.|title=Turner Sports joins others, announces customer refunds after 'The Match' streamed for free|newspaper=USA Today|date=November 23, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/11/27/tiger-phil-match-how-many-people-watched/|author=Cunningham, Kevin|title=See how many people watched the Tiger vs. Phil match|date=November 27, 2018|website=Golf.com|access-date=September 18, 2019}}

B/R Live was shut down and merged into the Bleacher Report app in June 2021.{{cite news|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/br/turner-reportedly-plans-to-fold-b-r-live-into-bleacher-report-app-sometime-in-the-next-two-years.html|author=Bupp, Phillip|title=Turner reportedly plans to fold B/R Live into Bleacher Report app sometime in the next two years|date=October 28, 2019|website=Awful Announcing|access-date=September 19, 2023}} As a spiritual successor, TNT Sports launched a Bleacher Report-branded streaming hub on Max in October 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Max will start offering a live sports tier in October |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/19/23880831/max-live-sports-tier-launch-date-price |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919191224/https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/19/23880831/max-live-sports-tier-launch-date-price |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |access-date=September 19, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}

Early criticism of Bleacher Report stemmed from the network's initial commitment to an open publishing model. Such critiques cited the fact that all registered users on the website were permitted to publish articles on the site, arguing that Bleacher Report{{'}}s policy resulted in a glut of low-quality content, which made it difficult for the network's readers to find credible coverage of their favorite teams and sports.{{cite web|author=Sellathamby, Kevin|url=https://www.battleofcali.com/2010/7/14/1569806/bleacher-report-sucks|title=Bleacher Report Sucks|publisher=Battle of California|date=July 14, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019}} It was also argued that the model tarnished the reputation of every writer associated with the Bleacher Report brand, which made it difficult for the network's more talented contributors to build loyal audiences,{{cite web|url=https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/why-bleacherreport-is-retarded-part-one-of-a-two-million-part-series.54720/|title=Why BleacherReport Is Retarded: Part One of a Two Million Part Series|publisher=TheGangGreen.com |date=March 1, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210228195032/https://forums.theganggreen.com/threads/why-bleacherreport-is-retarded-part-one-of-a-two-million-part-series.54720/ |archive-date= February 28, 2021 }} and that it empowered unqualified writers without editorial oversight, which compromised the prestige and credibility of the sports writing profession.{{cite web |title=Waiting for the day readers march in and demand an end to the dreck|author=Kindred, Dave|url=http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/waiting-for-the-day-readers-march-in-and-demand-an-end-to-the-dreck/ |publisher=National Sports Journalism Center|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=July 17, 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624064033/http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/waiting-for-the-day-readers-march-in-and-demand-an-end-to-the-dreck/|archive-date=June 24, 2012}} SB Nation Senior MMA editor Luke Thomas described it as the "Walmart of Journalism" and its MMA coverage "toothless amateur coverage".{{cite news|author=Kyte, E. Spencer|title=Extending a Challenge to Luke Thomas of Bloody Elbow|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/333026-extending-a-challenge-to-luke-thomas-of-bloody-elbow |date=January 26, 2010 |access-date=September 18, 2019|work=Bleacher Report}}

Since abandoning the content farm model in 2010, Bleacher Report has been the subject of continued criticism for its exploitation of unpaid contributors, its blanket policy prohibiting writers from breaking their own news, and its high-volume production of low-quality, search-optimized slideshow content.{{cite web|author=Brown, Larry|url=https://larrybrownsports.com/media/bleacher-report-window-dressing-new-hires/83630|title=Bleacher Report Merely Window Dressing with New Hires|publisher=Larry Brown Sports|date=August 22, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}}{{cite web|author=Eskenazi, Joe|url=https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/top-5-ways-bleacher-report-rules-the-world/Content?oid=2186585|title=Top 5 Ways Bleacher Report Rules the World!|publisher=SF Weekly |date=October 3, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031011141/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/top-5-ways-bleacher-report-rules-the-world/Content?oid=2186585 |archive-date= October 31, 2019 }} These critiques found their strongest voice to date in an October 2012 SF Weekly article, in which tech columnist and entrepreneur Vivek Wadhwa was quoted accusing Bleacher Report of "dumbing down of the web" with "custom-manufactured garbage." In December 2012, a lampoon article in The Onion played on the same themes.{{cite web|url=https://sports.theonion.com/furious-bleacher-report-editor-will-make-staff-rank-thi-1819574287|title=Furious Bleacher Report Editor Will Make Staff Rank Things All Fucking Night If He Has To|website=The Onion|date=December 10, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019}} In July 2014, Deadspin published a lengthy narrative written by Tom Schreier, a former Bleacher Report featured columnist.{{Cite news|url=https://deadspin.com/the-top-200-ways-bleacher-report-screwed-me-over-1608499729|title=The Top 200 Ways Bleacher Report Screwed Me Over|author=Schreier, Tom|website=Deadspin|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823014021/https://deadspin.com/the-top-200-ways-bleacher-report-screwed-me-over-1608499729|url-status=live}} Detailing his journey from hopeful intern to "just one more drone pumping content to get clicked on," in three years, Schreier "wrote over 500 articles, generated nearly three million page views, and received $200 for [his] services."{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/users/291282-tom-schreier|title=From BleacherReport.com, your destination for the latest news on your teams and topics in sports.|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009163034/http://bleacherreport.com/users/291282-tom-schreier|url-status=live}}

Bleacher Report attempted to address the concerns of its early critics by making substantive reforms to its editorial and personnel policies in 2010 and 2011. These reforms were aimed chiefly at the mechanics of Bleacher Report{{'}}s Writer Program, with emphasis on enhancing quality and credibility by doing the following:

• Initiating a formal application process for all prospective writers, wherein only the top 20 percent of candidates earn the right to publish on the site.{{cite web|author=Koo, Ben|url=http://benkoo.com/articles/biz-and-tech/big-changes-at-bleacher-report.html|title=Big Changes at Bleacher Report|publisher=Benkoo.com|date=June 17, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=June 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622082459/http://www.benkoo.com/articles/biz-and-tech/big-changes-at-bleacher-report.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/08/22/to-pay-or-not-to-pay-bleacher-report-finds-a-third-way/|title=To Pay or Not to Pay? Bleacher Report Finds a Third Way|date=August 22, 2011|work=Forbes|author=Bercovici, Jeff|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006210324/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/08/22/to-pay-or-not-to-pay-bleacher-report-finds-a-third-way/|url-status=live}}
• Introducing educational resources for new and veteran writers, including the "B/R U" new-media training program.{{cite web|author=Ellis, Justin|url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/08/bleacher-report-ups-its-game-by-taking-contributors-to-school/|title=Bleacher Report ups its game by taking contributors to school "Nieman Journalism Lab"|publisher=Niemanlab.org|date=August 18, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307112317/https://www.niemanlab.org/2011/08/bleacher-report-ups-its-game-by-taking-contributors-to-school/|url-status=live}}
• Establishing a paid team of Lead Writers to headline the network's sport-specific writer communities.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/08/23/Media/Bleacher-Report.aspx|title=Bleacher Report Adds Prominent Bloggers For "Lead Writer Program"|publisher=SportsBusiness Daily|date=August 23, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}}

Although some detractors likened such changes "to spritzing a little room deodorizer after leaving a steaming deposit in the toilet and failing to flush", apart from a published rebuttal disputing the objectivity and accuracy of the October 2012 SF Weekly article,{{cite web|author=Kaufman, King|url=http://blog.bleacherreport.com/2012/10/05/the-many-ways-sf-weekly-is-wrong-about-bleacher-report/|title=The many ways SF Weekly is wrong about Bleacher Report|publisher=blog.bleacherreport.com|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007224643/http://blog.bleacherreport.com/2012/10/05/the-many-ways-sf-weekly-is-wrong-about-bleacher-report/|url-status=live}} Bleacher Report has mounted a substantive response to ongoing criticism of its contributor compensation structure, news-breaking policy and search-optimization strategies.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

In 2013, Bleacher Report hired Mike Freeman as a columnist from CBSSports.com.{{cite news|author=Sherman, Ed|title=Bleacher Report adds Howard Beck; expected to go after more writers with big-money offers|work=Sherman Report|url=http://www.shermanreport.com/bleacher-report-adds-howard-beck-expected-to-go-after-more-writers-with-big-money-offers/|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407074516/http://www.shermanreport.com/bleacher-report-adds-howard-beck-expected-to-go-after-more-writers-with-big-money-offers/|url-status=live}} The company then brought on National Basketball Association reporter Howard Beck from The New York Times. He was convinced by Bleacher Report that they were on the verge of transforming its website.{{cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/why-howard-beck-left-the-new-york-times-for-bleacher-re-1349408343|title=Why Howard Beck Left The New York Times For Bleacher Report|author=Koblin, John|work=Deadspin|date=September 19, 2013|access-date=September 18, 2019}} In addition to Beck becoming their lead NBA writer, Bleacher Report also added Ethan Skolnick from The Palm Beach Post to report on the Miami Heat, Kevin Ding of Orange County Register to cover the Los Angeles Lakers, and Jared Zwerling from ESPN to pen NBA features.{{cite news|author=Paulling, Daniel|title=On the move: Veteran reporter explains why he left the New York Times for Bleacher Report|date=October 16, 2013|publisher=Associated Press Sports Editors|url=http://apsportseditors.com/on-the-move-veteran-reporter-explains-why-he-left-the-new-york-times-for-bleacher-report/|author2=Stephens, Tim|access-date=September 18, 2019}}

Forbes.com called Bleacher Report "one of the leaders" among sports startups "figuring out the digital space" in August 2011, noting the company's success in "providing publishing tools to all sorts of knowledgeable sports fans to report and express what they know."{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lewisdvorkin/2011/08/22/whos-doing-it-right-bleacher-report-turns-knowing-fans-into-reporters/|title=Who's Doing It Right? Bleacher Report Turns Knowing Fans into Reporters|work=Forbes|author=DVorkin, Lewis|date=August 22, 2011|access-date=September 18, 2019}} Bleacher Report was also named one of Time magazine's "50 Best Websites of 2011",{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2087815_2087855_2087858,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817025749/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2087815_2087855_2087858,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2011|magazine=Time|title=The 50 Best Websites of 2011|date=August 16, 2011}} and was picked by Adweek readers as 2011's "Best Sports Media Brand".{{cite magazine|author=Beltrone, Gabriel|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/sports-media-and-marketing-mvps-138411/|title=Sports Media and Marketing MVPs|magazine=Adweek|date=February 20, 2012|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411052414/https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/sports-media-and-marketing-mvps-138411/|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Bleacher Report was named "Hottest in Sports" in Adweek's Annual Hot List.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/adweeks-digital-publishing-hot-list-winners-are-all-about-growth-and-conversation/|title=These 14 Digital Publishers Are the Hottest Voices on the Internet. Here's What They're Doing|magazine=Adweek|date=October 29, 2017}} Game of Zones has received Sports Emmy Award nominations in 2015 and 2018{{cite web|url=http://emmyonline.com/sports_36th_nomination_announcement|title=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the Nominees for the 36th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards|publisher=EmmyOnline|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915153256/http://emmyonline.com/sports_36th_nomination_announcement|url-status=dead}} and was nominated for Outstanding Digital Innovation at the 2017 Emmy Awards.{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/bleacher-report-nearly-doubles-the-size-of-the-team-behind-game-of-zones|author=Patel, Sahil|title=Bleacher Report nearly doubles the size of the team behind 'Game of Zones'|website=Digiday|date=April 12, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235914/https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/bleacher-report-nearly-doubles-the-size-of-the-team-behind-game-of-zones/|url-status=live}}

Bleacher Report has received a number of Clio Sports Awards:

:2015

::*Gold for "MJ All Day"{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/2453|title=Bleacher Report MJ All Day|access-date=September 18, 2019|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024113507/https://clios.com/sports/winner/2453|url-status=live}}

:2018

::*Grand for Game of Zones{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/at-t/game-of-zones-34830|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=AT&T – Game of Zones|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828000019/https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/at-t/game-of-zones-34830|url-status=live}}

::*Silver for "NBA Playoff Battle Royale"{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/social-media/tissot/bleacher-report-nba-playoff-battle-royale-34739|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Tissot – Bleacher Report NBA Playoff Battle Royale|archive-date=August 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801071403/https://clios.com/sports/winner/social-media/tissot/bleacher-report-nba-playoff-battle-royale-34739|url-status=live}}

::*Silver for "Up Your Game"{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/integrated-campaign/bleacher-report/up-your-game-35821|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Bleacher Report – up Your Game|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235915/https://clios.com/sports/winner/integrated-campaign/bleacher-report/up-your-game-35821|url-status=live}}

::*Silver for Gridiron Heights{{cite web|url=https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/bleacher-report/gridiron-heights-34892|access-date=September 18, 2019|title=Bleacher Report – Gridiron Heights|archive-date=August 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827235915/https://clios.com/sports/winner/innovation/bleacher-report/gridiron-heights-34892|url-status=live}}

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