Grantland is borne of the same parents as the sites your mentioned in your post. All of these sites are just more well-formed regarding their mix of Old Media format (long-form, in-depth articles), New Media style (personal perspective that weaves serious topics, tabloid taste & pop-culture references, influenced by Big Data), splashy aesthetics that magazines developed, and modern web / information design.

They're all modern websites in that they are aware of how presentation effects the communication of information. A sense that style is as necessary as substance.

To make a music comparison, these sites are analogous the changes Rock made once the studio techniques were viewed as legitimate as traditional songwriting or hip-hop once producers and MC's sought artistic credibility.