PlayMaker Mobile on Verizon Wireless Phones Connects Fans Directly to Sports Stars

SAN DIEGO, CA and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — From CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2009®, Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of PlayMaker Mobile, a new mobile social networking application that gives fans using their Verizon Wireless feature phones unique access to an exclusive group of athletes.

PlayMaker Mobile offers robust features that provide fans with an in-depth social networking experience with their favorite sports stars in real time. First-look content includes player blogs, customer user pages and profiles, message boards and forums, player statistics, game highlights and coaching tips. The live chat feature of PlayMaker Mobile will allow fans to chat with athletes during pre-set days and times, with the specific schedules to come soon.

Athletes named to the PlayMaker Mobile roster include Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers, Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, Antonio Pierce of the New York Giants, Jonathan Vilma of the New Orleans Saints, as well as supercross champion Jeremy McGrath and Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler.

"I'm fascinated with great technology, and being part of a cutting edge mobile application like PlayMaker Mobile is very exciting," said two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash. "We aren't always in front of our computers, but with PlayMaker Mobile I don't have to be. It allows me to share moments in my life that fans wouldn't otherwise get to see."

PlayMaker Mobile is available now in the Get It Now®/Media Center section under the Download This!, Sports, and Community and Sharing categories on nearly 50 feature phones. It is $4.99 for a monthly subscription. Airtime, data usage and messaging fees may apply during download and use of the application.

For more information about products and services from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or visit www.verizonwireless.com.  

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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