ESPN And Verizon Wireless Team Up To Bring Exclusive Comprehensive Sports Action To Fans

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and BRISTOL, CT — Calling all jocks, Monday-morning quarterbacks and armchair sports enthusiasts: All the news, stats, scores and information on the sports, players and teams that matter most to you are now available in the palm of your hand. Beginning today, Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, will be the only wireless service provider to offer ESPN MVP, the sports fan's mobile, on-demand link to news, scores and more, developed from the ground up by ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

ESPN MVP gives V CAST subscribers access to wireless sports information content and services, such as SportsCenter video highlights; alerts for scoring updates, breaking news and more; ESPN Gamecast, with comprehensive scoreboards and play-by-play detail; and news on players, teams and leagues. ESPN MVP also offers features exclusive to Verizon Wireless V CAST subscribers, including fantasy team management, so customers can update players and teams and make changes to fantasy team rosters while on-the-go; select ESPN Insider content; and ESPN Bottomline. This unmatched lineup is available exclusively to Verizon Wireless monthly V CAST subscribers, at no additional cost.*

V CAST subscribers can also customize ESPN MVP on their wireless handset based on favorite teams, players and columnists, making it easier than ever to get personalized updates while on-the-go.

Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, "This relationship represents the combination of two best-in-class brands and services — ESPN, with the best sports content, and Verizon Wireless, operator of the best wireless network. The result is an unmatched service that gives sports-hungry fans a 24/7 connection to the sports information and entertainment they crave. Whether they want text alerts on changing game scores and sports news, or want to be immersed in a complete multimedia experience with V CAST, it's all there with ESPN MVP and Verizon Wireless."

"When we initially created this application for Mobile ESPN last year, data usage and customer satisfaction with ESPN's mobile content were extraordinary," added Salil Mehta, executive vice president, ESPN Enterprises. "Now, with more robust features than ever before, the re-branded ESPN MVP is poised to deliver an unbeatable wireless experience through Verizon Wireless, reaching millions of casual fans and avid sports enthusiasts alike through the mobile platform."

ESPN MVP Content
With ESPN MVP, customers have easy access to the hottest, real-time sports content available anywhere, including:

• News and Stats
• All topical sports news and information, including breaking news and comprehensive scoreboards for professional and college sports leagues
• Hot Corner: A single destination featuring the latest news and updates on special events
• Alerts for scoring updates, breaking news, special events and more
• Player Tracker: Stats, news and bios on up to 15 specific players
• Team schedules, rosters, injuries and more
• Info Here and Now
• ESPN Bottomline: Scrolling ticker with constantly updated sports scores and news
• ESPN Gamecast: Comprehensive scoreboards featuring previews, recaps, box scores, scoring summaries and stats
• Editorial Content
• ESPN Columnists: ESPN MVP users can get direct, wireless access for up to three favorite ESPN columnists
• SportsCenter and PTI video highlights
• Fantasy Sports
• Fantasy Team management with ability to track players and manage ESPN.com fantasy rosters
• Fantasy sports-focused editorial content with news, information and timely advice

ESPN MVP Pricing and Availability
Verizon Wireless customers with select phones can download ESPN MVP for free if they subscribe to the Verizon Wireless monthly VPak. For $15 monthly access, the V CAST VPak includes unlimited basic V CAST Video clips, access to Mobile Web 2.0^SM and ESPN MVP. Subscribers to the V CAST VPak do not incur airtime charges when using V CAST Video, V CAST Music, Mobile Web 2.0 or Get It Now^® applications. ESPN MVP is not available to Verizon Wireless customers opting for daily V CAST subscriptions.

ESPN MVP is initially available on the LG Chocolate, the LG VX8300, LG VX8600, the Motorola RAZR V3c and V3m and MOTOKRZR K1m. Verizon Wireless expects to offer ESPN MVP on additional phones in the coming months.

For more information about ESPN MVP from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/espn.  

* Optional alerts are available at an additional charge.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 60.7 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 66,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About ESPN Mobile Properties
ESPN Mobile Properties is devoted to extending the ESPN brand and content over wireless and encompasses a wide variety of products, including the industry's most trafficked sports content wireless site (WAP); Mobile ESPN, the immersive sports content application with real-time scores, news, video, personalization for favorite teams and much more; more than 100 daily on-demand video and audio clips; live video and audio content; mobile games; messaging based alert products; and a library of ESPN themed ringtones and wallpapers. ESPN content from ESPN Mobile Properties is available through licensing agreements with every major domestic wireless carrier and in more than 30 countries internationally.

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