Verizon Wireless is now the National Football League’s official wireless service sponsor, according to news announced today. The four-year agreement kicks off with live coverage of this year’s NFL draft April 22-24. Sprint had this sponsorship in prior years.
Initially broadcast across Verizon Wireless’s nationwide 3G network, the carrier plans to “enrich” coverage as it rolls out 4G network technology. The company plans to have 4G available in 25 to 30 markets this year and across its nationwide footprint by year-end 2013, according to the news release.
Programming will also include the NFL Network’s NFL RedZone channel, as well as live streaming of NBC’s Sunday Night Football and the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football. Subscribers will also receive the NFL Network Channel, which airs 24×7 year-round.
“For Verizon Wireless, it is NFL content delivered over our 3G network so football fans can extend the excitement of the sport long after the last touchdown of a season,” commented Verizon Wireless executive vp and chief marketing officer John Stratton. “And the NFL content is customizable in that consumers have options from video to ringtones to alerts; the choice is theirs.”
The carrier will announce pricing details in August. The move illustrates the growing role of wireless for video and entertainment, especially as 4G becomes more prominent.
you gotta love the nfl biz model. i understand verizon paid north of $700 million for this deal for four years. sprint was paying $100 million/year and decided to punt at reup. how long before verizon gains rights to stream nfl games over fios?