FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 14, 1998

Coverage Features Exclusive Interactive Tool "DraftTracker"

ESPN Internet Ventures and NFL Interactive have joined to produce a special section offering the most comprehensive online coverage of the NFL Draft (Sat./Sun., April 18/19). The section includes pre-draft analysis and live draft coverage complete with expert commentary. The area can be accessed through ESPN SportsZone (espn.com), the most popular sports site on the Web, and NFL.com, the official site of the National Football League.

"The NFL Draft is incredibly data intensive, which makes following the event online a perfect companion to watching it on TV," said Geoff Reiss, senior vice president of sports, ESPN Internet Ventures. "Moves are made quickly, constantly changing the complexion of the draft. Only the NFL and its draft broadcast partner, ESPN, are close enough to the action to provide this kind of coverage."

"The draft offers NFL fans the first insights into the '98 season," said Ann Kirschner, vice president of NFL Interactive. "Together with ESPN, we bring the fan into the action with this dynamic, data-rich 'cymulcast'."

The site's DraftCentral Presented By Miller Lite will provide fans with extensive coverage leading up to, during and after the draft. The popular DraftTracker Presented By Sprint, the most dynamic way to follow the draft online, returns for its third season.

Pre-draft coverage includes player profiles plus video and audio clips of top prospects. Fans can also find "mock drafts," feature stories on teams and players, a look at how last year's top draft picks fared as NFL rookies and insightful information from Pro Football Weekly. ESPN's draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. and former Dallas Cowboys Executive Gil Brandt will provide in-depth analysis and predictions of top picks. In addition, top-draft prospect Aaron Taylor (Nebraska center) will write a diary on his experiences leading up to and through the draft.

During the draft, visitors can use DraftTracker, an original, exclusive feature that allows users to analyze draft picks in real time and sort selections by player, position, NFL or college team, and other variables. In addition, the site will feature live audio of NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announcing each selection and ESPN Radio's coverage of the first round. Fans will also be able to chat with top prospects live from the draft floor.

Throughout the coverage, fans can participate in user polls, voicing their opinion on various issues surrounding the draft. Users can also "grade" each team's draft performance. The site offers additional user interactivity with a series of seven "Draft Dilemmas," where two top names in certain positions are pitted against each other (the two top running backs, the two top linebackers, etc.) giving fans the opportunity to vote on which one is the best.

ESPN SportsZone is produced by ESPN Internet Ventures, a partnership between Starwave Corporation and ESPN. SportsZone delivers all the latest sports headlines, up-to-the-minute statistics and scores, along with unique interactive features, live chats with players and commentators and exclusive in-depth analysis from ESPN experts. NFL.com is the official site of the National Football League and is co-produced by the NFL and ESPN Internet Ventures. NFL.com provides comprehensive coverage of all the teams, players and games in the NFL.

Media Contacts:

Mary Griswold, National Football League, 212-450-2068, griswoldm@nfl.com
Eric Handler, ESPN Internet Ventures, 212-456-1798, erich@abcjv.com
Jennifer Yazzolino, ESPN Internet Ventures, 425-957-2026, jennifery@starwave.com