Gannett starts local high school sports websites

MCLEAN, Va.

Gannett Co., the biggest U.S. newspaper publisher, said Wednesday it plans to launch a network of more than 100 websites dedicated to local high school sports teams.

Gannett said the new sites will cull material from the company's local newspapers and from its broadcast stations.

It also plans to launch high school sports pages on the website of its flagship daily newspaper, USA Today.

Gannett wants to wring more ad dollars out of the Web as revenue from print advertising continues to decline.

The company said this latest online initiative is intended especially to draw national advertisers that want to reach young athletes and their families at the local and regional level.

Gannett shares closed up 11 cents to $12.84 on Wednesday.