BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless said its subscribers will be able to vote on the NBA’s Most Valuable Player using the carrier’s text messaging services during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.
The exclusive offering is the first application from Verizon’s new deal with ESPN and ABC Sports, which is part of the carrier’s move to offer exclusive wireless content to its subscribers. The carrier previously has announced an exclusive deal with New Line Cinema for “The Lord of the Rings” movies.
Under the new sports deal, Verizon will offer ESPN and ABC Sports news and information, as well as ring tones, trivia contests and games, including those based on the X Games. Further, the carrier will have exclusive rights to NBA content.
Verizon currently offers sports information through a deal with FOX Sports.
Under the MVP voting service, Verizon subscribers will be able use text messages to vote for the game’s Most Valuable Player. Those votes, along with votes through an 800 number, will account for 20 percent of the vote total. The other 80 percent of the votes will come from NBA judges.
