Verizon's NFL Mobile draft coverage adds team alerts, social interaction

Although labor strife continues to jeopardize the National Football League's 2011-12 regular season, the annual rookie draft is still slated for April 28-30, and for the second consecutive year Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) will stream the NFL Network's live coverage across more than two dozen smartphone models.

Verizon's free NFL Mobile application also boasts a live draft tracker, expert analysis and prospect pages including video highlights spotlighting the next generation of gridiron greats. In addition, this year's version of the app introduces interactive features like draft alerts linking fans to their favorite team's page as well as Fan War Rooms, enabling subscribers to comment on their team's selection and talk trash with other NFL diehards.

Verizon Wireless announced a four-year NFL sponsorship agreement in March 2010, taking over as the league's exclusive mobile media partner as well as its official wireless service sponsor, roles previously filled by Sprint (NYSE: S). According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal is valued at $720 million, including a rights fee and advertising spending--the earlier Sprint package was valued at $120 million. Verizon notes that millions of subscribers have downloaded NFL Mobile during the past year.

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