FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/2/98

NFL.COM RELAUNCHES FOR 1998 SEASON;
REDESIGNED SITE TO STREAM GAMEDAY VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
& COMPLEMENT NFL GAME TELECASTS

NFL.com returns this season with a redesigned look and feel and expanded offerings, which include a more comprehensive game-day application, interactive games, video highlights and programming from ESPN. The redesigned site, produced by NFL Interactive and ESPN Internet Ventures (EIV), launches today in preparation for NFL Kickoff Weekend, September 6-7.

Research has shown that nearly half of the 250,000-plus users who visited NFL.com last season on a Sunday used the site as an online companion to watching NFL games on television.

"We’re seeing that fans watch games with the television remote in one hand and the computer mouse in the other," said Ann Kirschner, vice president of NFL Interactive. "With the Internet now reaching a significant audience, the NFL is uniquely poised to take advantage of the TV– online convergence, delivering the punch of television and the interactivity of NFL.com."

Video highlights of game action will again be available on NFL.com. New this season will be a two-minute highlight package of the "best of" Sunday’s games, created exclusively for NFL.com by NFL Films. Video pieces also will accompany feature stories and game previews.

The NFL will utilize its relationship with EIV to incorporate content from ESPN and ESPN2, including NFL Films Presents and the NFL 2 Night, with NFL.com.

"The first real convergence of online and TV will happen in sports, and ESPN is in a unique position to set a new standard with the NFL," said Tom Phillips, President, ESPN Internet Ventures.  "NFL.com will offer a wealth of real-time data, multimedia and analytical content that will exploit the resources of ESPN and the NFL, bringing fans an integrated experience unmatched on the Internet."

NFL fans worldwide will continue to be able to access their favorite features like Gameday Live, a real-time java applet which presents live play-by-play, scores and statistics from every game, Team by Team Matchups, Sortable Statistics and Player Tracker. Player Tracker enables fans to follow the statistical accomplishments of their favorite players while games are in progress.

Fans will be able to chat live with ESPN personalities, former NFL greats and other guests as part of the "Monday Morning QB" feature every Monday during the season. Through the NFL’s Quarterback and Coaches Clubs, fans also will be able to interact with some of the top players and coaches. The "Quarterback Club Showdowns" will return for the fourth season with hourly chats each Tuesday evening. NFL players, including twin brothers Tiki (Giants) and Rondey (Bucanneers) Barber, will provide weekly journals on their lives in the NFL.

For young football fans, the "Play Football" area will return with new interactive games and other content produced specifically for children. There also will be an expanded cyber-store of NFL-licensed merchandise.

1998 QBC Cyberspace Showdown Schedule
(Chats are on Tuesdays, 8:00 PM EST)

Contacts:

Mary Griswold, 212/450-2068, griswoldm@nfl.com
Eric Handler, 212/916-7726, handlere@espn.com