Verizon Snags NFL Mobile ContentMarch 9, 2010
 BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and NEW YORK: Verizon
Wireless secured an agreement with the National Football League for mobile
content. The League is allowing the cell-phone provider rights to its NFL
RedZone Channel. The agreement is said to run four years; The Wall Street Journal pegged the transaction at $720 million.
Verizon Wireless, which transmits video to cell
phones via its VCast service, will launch carriage with coverage of the NFL
Draft, April 22-24 and continuing into the regular season. Subscribers will
then have access to live footage of games, including those played on Sunday,
reports indicate.
Verizon Wireless replaces Spring Nextel’s mobile video provision for the NFL.
Sprint Nextel’s contract excluded Sunday games to protect the broadcast rights
of CBS and Fox. Broadcast executives are expected to watch ratings closely to
discern potential impact.
Verizon smartphones include Motorola’s Droid and the BlackBerry Storm2.
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