• by Sara Guaglione , February 1, 2016

Yahoo! Inc. announced Friday the launch of The Vertical with Woj, a digital hub for NBA news, information and storytelling run by Yahoo NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Part of the Yahoo Sports Web site, fans will get a look inside the NBA from the perspective of Wojnarowski, journalists, insiders and experts. The site features breaking news stories, in-depth articles and global draft analysis across desktop and mobile.

State Farm is one of the first brands to sign up as a premier sponsor of The Vertical, with custom integrated ad opportunities for brands to connect with basketball fans across screens.

State Farm will use high-impact display and pre-roll video ads, as well as branded integrations around video content on The Vertical. The State Farm campaign will also capitalize on events, such as All-Star Weekend to reach sports fans on The Vertical, and extend its campaign through pre-roll video, native video and display ads across additional Yahoo properties.

“The Vertical offers a chance for us to continue great brand storytelling through effective advertising relevant for this audience,” stated Ed Gold, State Farm advertising director.

Joe Garza, who has been a member of the Yahoo Sports team since 2012, will direct the site’s day-to-day content and coverage. Johnny Ludden, Yahoo Sports’ editor-in-chief, will oversee The Vertical’s content strategy and mission and work closely with Garza and Wojnarowski.

“Every day on The Vertical, we will be committed to pulling the curtain back on the NBA and delivering our audience exclusive, compelling content, ”’ stated Wojnarowski, editor of The Vertical.

Wojnarowski is the author of The New York Times best-selling book, “The Miracle of St. Anthony."

Wojnarowski re-signed with Yahoo! last summer after Sports Illustrated made a serious run at him.

At the time, rumors were circulating that Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer made a significant long-term commitment to build an NBA-type franchise around Wojnarowski, who has been at Yahoo since 2006. He signed a four-year contract with Yahoo! and The Vertical was born.

The Vertical started making hires this fall. Chris Mannix left Sports Illustrated for The Vertical after covering the NBA for SI since 2003.

Other notable names that will contribute to The Vertical include Michael Lee, Shams Charania, Bobby Marks, a 20-year NBA front office executive, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress.com, Nick DePaula of NiceKicks.com, Tim Grover, longtime trainer of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and former player Brian Scalabrine.