Derek Jeter Launches Website For Athletes To Share ‘First-Person Stories’

Derek Jeter may have retired his New York Yankees pinstripes on Sept. 25 but the former shortshop has not stopped working. On Wednesday he announced the launch of his new website, The Players’ Tribune.

The site will publish “first-person stories directly from athletes” and will include videos, podcasts, player polls and written pieces, according to the website.

“I have a unique perspective,” Jeter wrote in a letter posted to the website. “Many of you saw me after that final home game, when the enormity of the moment hit me. I’m not a robot. Neither are the other athletes who at times might seem unapproachable. We all have emotions. We just need to be sure our thoughts will come across the way we intend.”

So far, the website has one entry written by Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Entitled “Let’s Talk About It,” the post discusses domestic violence in the NFL and encourages readers to donate to his “Why Not You Foundation” to raise funds for domestic violence victims.

Gary Hoenig, a former editorial director of ESPN Publishing and an editor of ESPN the Magazine, will be the editorial director for the site. Wilson is listed as a senior editor. Film producer Thomas Tull has invested in the website. His production company, Legendary Pictures, backed the film “42” about Jackie Robinson, the New York Times reports.

Jeter says the website is designed to fill a gap in the communication process between athletes and the press – not necessarily threaten their relationships entirely.

"We're not trying to take away from sportswriters. Sportswriters are what makes sports successful," Jeter told ESPN. "I think we're sort of working in conjunction with them."