ESPN, Sprint To Launch ESPN Mobile Service In 2005"

BRISTOL, Conn.-(Dow Jones)- Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) sports entertainment company, ESPN, plans to team up with Sprint Corp. (FON) to create a U.S. phone service specifically targeted to sports fans using the wireless carrier's Nationwide PCS Network.

The new service, called ESPN Mobile, will launch in 2005.

In a joint press release Tuesday, the companies said ESPN Mobile will provide sports programming and entertainment to mobile phones via Sprint's high-speed data network.

ESPN Mobile will be responsible for billing, customer relations, pricing, packaging, distribution and other operational aspects of the business.

The agreement represents Sprint's first sports-specific affiliation for nationwide wireless services.

-Nicole Urbanowicz; Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 1st December 2004