DraftCentral

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2000

ESPN.COM AND NFL.COM’S DRAFTCENTRAL PROVIDES MOST IN-DEPTH, INTERACTIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2000 NFL DRAFT

"DraftTracker," Live Streaming Webcam Highlight Draft Package

ESPN.com and NFL.com are teaming up to present DraftCentral, the official site of the 2000 NFL Draft, held April 15 & 16 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Featuring the exclusive "DraftTracker" application and Webcams offering live streaming video, DraftCentral will deliver to fans the most knowledgeable and insightful preview, live coverage and in-depth analysis of the NFL Draft 2000. Five years ago, 50,000 fans tracked the 1995 NFL Draft online; this year, millions of visitors are expected to experience the unprecedented all-access to the 2000 NFL Draft that only NFL.com and ESPN.com can provide. ESPN.com is produced by ESPN Internet Group, while NFL.com is co-produced by NFL Interactive and ESPN Internet Group.

Easily accessible via NFL.com and ESPN.com, DraftCentral will offer fans more exclusive multimedia, analysis, and behind-the-scenes access than ever before, including video diaries, live streaming video and audio, player chats, in-depth analysis from ESPN analysts, player profiles, video clips and archival audio.

DraftCentral’s coverage will once again revolve around "DraftTracker," an exclusive feature enabling fans to view lists of draft prospects by name, position or school. During the draft, picks can be analyzed in real time and viewed using one of the three groupings, or by round or NFL team. For the first time, DraftCentral will deploy live, streaming Webcams at focal areas of the Theatre, giving fans an exclusive look at the proceedings.

In addition, DraftCentral will boast analysis, predictions and chats football experts such as ESPN personalities Mel Kiper, Jr. and Chris Mortensen and NFL.com draft guru Gil Brandt, as well as chats on-site with top draft picks immediately after they are drafted. Bios on draft-eligible players, video and audio highlights, photos, first-round polls, and more are all a part of DraftCentral.

DraftCentral will deliver the following features:

"DraftTracker" will provide instantaneous updates of all the activity on Draft Day

NFL Films video packages will include a video diary of explosive Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington during Draft Weekend

Player Diaries by Florida State wide receiver teammates Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans to contrast the insights of two players who were close in college but are expected to go at different stages in the Draft.

Webcams will be placed at the Draft podium, in the player green room and in the press conference room. Pictures and audio will be streamed by Real Networks.

ESPN collaboration will bring analysis from Chris Mortensen and Mel Kiper, Jr. as well as the complete video highlights of players, produced by ESPN.

Player chats will be conducted throughout Draft Day. Chats are scheduled with players and former players, such as Georgia Tech WR Dez White and Former Tennessee RB Jamal Lewis.

NFL Draft Radio and other audio features will be streamed by Real Audio, including a live one-hour radio program hosted by NFL Insider’s Vic Carucci, featuring five of the projected top picks in the draft including Arrington, Warrick, Chris Samuels, Courtney Brown and Thomas Jones.

Expert analysis by NFL.com’s resident expert Gil Brandt. Fans will be able to track team draft choices, view video of the top selections from the first press conference at the Draft, access Brandt’s analysis of the pick and ultimately ask questions of the player himself during live chats.

"We will offer millions of NFL fans more access to the NFL Draft than ever before. Fans are invited inside the green room with top prospects and their families; they can listen to the top picks’ first press conferences as NFL players; and they can play reporter by submitting questions to players interviewed on-line," said Chris Russo, NFL senior vice president of new media. "We will also make the online experience as convenient as possible by archiving video and audio highlights that fans can access at their convenience.

"The combined editorial resources of ESPN.com and NFL.com make DraftCentral the ultimate destination for fans following the draft online," said John Marvel, vice president and executive editor, ESPN.com. "We provide users with unprecedented access to the player and happenings, the most immersive, interactive experience possible."

Coverage of the 2000 NFL Draft has already begun on DraftCentral with diaries form Louisiana Tech quarterback Tim Rattay and South Dakota running back Jamel White now available. Also, the site offers position-by-position analysis of college prospects everyday leading up to the Draft.

NFL Interactive is the new media arm of the NFL that was established in 1995.

ESPN.com is part of GO.com (NYSE:GO), the Internet business of The Walt Disney Company. GO.com manages some of the Internet’s most popular Web sites, including the GO.com portal, which specializes in the areas of entertainment, recreation and leisure. Go.com also manages the web sites for some of the most well known brands in their industries, such as ABC.com, ABCNEWS.com, ABCSports.com, Disney.com, Disneystore.com, DisneyTravel.com, ESPN.com, ESPNstore.com, EXPN.com, Family.com, Mr. Showbiz, NASCAR Online, NBA.com and NFL.com. Steven M. Bornstein is the chairman of GO.com, which is headquartered in North Hollywood, California, with operations in Sunnyvale, California; Seattle, Washington; Bristol, Connecticut; New York; and London.

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Chris Widmaier, NFL, 212-450-2066

Eric Handler, ESPN Internet Group, 212-672-2567