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Verizon Inks $720 Million Deal with NFL, Sprint Users Go Into Mourning

Categories: Applications, Sprint, Verizon
By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 7:40 AM

Verizon Inks Deal with NFL

Holy smokers, this is a bit of a kick in the bag for Sprint. Word has it that Sprint users can wave ‘bye-bye’ to their much beloved NFL app. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Verizon has inked a new four-year contract with the NFL to deliver coverage AND the RedZone channel to Verizon devices.

So why the change? Verizon offered upwards of 50% more in cash compared to Sprint’s offering, the new deal totaling somewhere in the neighborhood of $720 million. Yikers. Verizon aims to bring even more NFL coverage to their customers, and the new deal gives them an all-access pass to stream live NFL footage, plus a heck of a lot more.

What’s also interesting here is device compatibility. Gone by the wayside (at least for now) is webOS compatibility, as Verizon noted that the new NFL service will be available for Android and BlackBerry devices at launch. This is a bit of a shock for any webOS users that had been loving the coverage in the past (on Sprint). No mentions of compatibility with the Verizon Pre Plus and Pixi Plus as of yet, but I’d be really surprised if we don’t hear more about that soon.

So, Sprint NFL fans, you can look forward to your beloved NFL football app to stop working by the end of March. A new ‘Sprint Football Live’ app is said to be replacing the NFL app, but you know all of that live video and exclusive content you’re used to seeing? Well, it looks like you’re out of luck. The bulk of information to be provided in the new offering will come in simple news stories, posted stats and editorial commentary.

[Via: PreCentral]

About The Author

James Falconer

James was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada. Almost 15 years ago he started out in the 'real world' as a web and graphic designer. Through the years he has finely tuned his skills in SEO, internet marketing, conversion strategy, and project management. To date, he runs his own successful consulting business where he advises companies all over the globe. A co-founder of www.crackberry.com, and sole proprietor of www.mactropolis.com, James in recent years has become very active in the tech blogosphere. Online community building and strategy is fast becoming one of his passions. Watch for James' no frills attitude, unique perspective and to-the-point comments here on IntoMobile!

  • Ari Gold

    That sucks, my contract with Sprint is expired and I’ve really been looking forward to resigning when the Supersonic comes out but thats really whackk, common Dan.

  • drag

    yes i am one of the upset customer that will be leaving sprint because of the loss of the NFL. One of he main reason that I had pick sprint as my carrier was because they had the nfl license but now I must wave bye bye to our 8 year relationship with im sure more than sprint imagined to follow it was the one up that they had over everyone else it was like the girl that had that special something and now she no longer has it so it time to find that special something again

  • chuck

    I will miss the NFL on Sprint but I certainly won’t be moving to Verizon, paying higher prices to watch football on my cell. Hoping the new app will at least keep me up to date on the scores.

  • cnstarz

    @drag:

    seriously, you pick your carrier based solely on their NFL license?? LOL! hahahahaha, the NFL license is definitely not worth paying an extra $30+/month you’ll be paying to verizon for less service. the only time you’d need it is when you dont have a computer or a tv or a radio to tell you the score. where on this country can you possibly be that doesn’t already have one of those three things?

  • t

    get slingbox and watch all your tv stations on computer or your cell phone.

  • wordscolliding

    Looks like ESPN Mobile TV + the new Sprint Football Live may more than make up the difference. With all the stuff they’re broadcasting just in the Spring, hard for me to believe they won’t have NFL games in the Fall…

    ESPN and Sprint are teaming up to give Sprint customers the ultimate sports experience — in the palm of their hands — with ESPN Mobile TV available on Sprint TV(R). Beginning today, ESPN Mobile TV will offer Sprint consumers unparalleled live sports programming and entertainment from ESPN via Sprint handheld devices.

    ESPN Mobile TV coverage during March and April will feature more than 100 live events and over 250 hours of coverage for Sprint customers with this new agreement beginning just in time for fans to watch the Big 12 and Big East Conference Championship basketball games on Sprint mobile devices. Programming and live events through April include:

    – 23 Live Men’s NCAA Basketball Games (including Conference Championship games)

    – 19 Live Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship Games

    – 9 NBA Playoff Games

    – 15 Regular Season NBA Games

    – 30 Live NBA Fastbreak Shows

    – 10 Regular Season MLB Games

    – 50 Live Baseball Tonight Studio Shows

    – 3 College Football Spring games

    – 3 Live Friday Night Fights

    – 3 Live NCAA Hockey Championship Games

    – 5 Live MLS Matches