Mobile ESPN Could Launch With $2-Plus Million In Sponsorships

Already in four test markets, Mobile ESPN is working on six charter sponsorship deals said to be worth $350,000, according to Sports Business Journal. At that rate, the total for the year-long deals: $2.1 million. The video game sponsor is reported to be Electronic Arts, already in an exclusive deal with ESPN. Sources told SBJ deals have been signed for car, tech and apparel. That would give Mobile ESPN, which would be in good shape if it hits 200,000 subs the first year, higher CPMs than high-end TV. But sponsors also get exposure beyond Mobile ESPN with logos on content being distributed through Mobile ESPN Publishing, which extends reach to roughly a half-million users.
In a sign of how intricate the maneuvers can be and of ESPN’s multiplatform approach, the charter sponsorships don’t include the in-progress clips of “Monday Night Football” that are part of the new ESPN-NFL deal — those are being packed with TV and online in a three-screren approach.
StarCom MediaVest’s Courtney Jane Acuff told SBJ Mobile ESPN isn’t in the picture yet, even for a client already engaged in wireless marketing with ESPN: â