The wireless carrier has disclosed an agreement that makes it the official telecom sponsor for the National Football League.
Are you ready for some wireless football?
Sprint has added the NFL as a sports offering to its wireless customers. With its Nextel merger, Sprint gains NASCAR as a sports property as well. Terms of the deal were not divulged in the press release, but according to USA Today, insiders claim the deal will have Sprint pay $600 million over the life of the arrangement.
But the NFL reigns supreme on the American sports landscape. Sprint’s five-year contract with the NFL will see a variety of content available to its subscribers who own advanced mobile handsets and subscribe to the provider’s Vision package.
Sprint plans to deliver game updates and in-progress reports, with audio and video highlights after a game. There will be live video from the NFL Network, and on-demand video content developed by Sprint and NFL Films. That may let New York Giants fans see Phil Simms shred the Denver Broncos again in Super Bowl XXI.
A huge component of the package will be fantasy football management. Fantasy leagues have caused fans to maintain interest in games involving teams that may or may not be having a competitive year. The NFL web site offers a fantasy football league in partnership with CBS Sportsline, and its features will be available to Sprint users.
Sprint’s public debut as sponsor will go on display with the NFL’s Opening Kickoff game, Raiders at Patriots, on September 8th.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
