Vox Media, fueled by $30 million in VC funding, is building an engine for  next-generation content.  The ingredients are a clear vertical focus,  low cost digital-only content, highly social.  In Vox’s case, no paywall and fully ad-supported. The numbers:

• 320 separate community-oriented sites under the SB Nation banner, most focused on a single team, with a unique URL, like http://www.bigblueview.com/ for the New York Giants.

• 800 paid bloggers, who I presume are fueled by their team passion more then money.

• 9.4 million unique visitors, half which return 20x each month, growing at 20% per year.  A fraction of what espn.com gets, but the trend is positive.

• Direct sales force of 25 people, focused on premium CPM sales to big national brands.

• Proprietary CMS called Chorus:  supports robust commenting and forums, and links sites with databases on teams and players.

• A new technology site launched in 2011, The Verge, is up to 3 million monthly uniques, and is reported to be profitable.

• Revenues of $25 million, reportedly at breakeven now.

• Valuation of $140 million, based on most recent round.  Accel Partners is lead VC, with additional funding from Comcast Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Allen & Company, Providence Equity Partners, and Ashton Kutcher.  CEO is Jim Bankoff, headquartered in Washington, D.C.