Collinsworth, Esiason, Faldo, Long, Ripken And Simms to Launch TXNSPORTS.com

NEW YORK, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cris Collinsworth, Boomer Esiason, Nick Faldo, Howie Long, Cal Ripken Jr. and Phil Simms, who joined forces earlier this year to form The Experts Network, now announce the launch of TXNSPORTS.com on April 26th, 2011.  The team, which under the direction of 16W Marketing will collaborate on digital and social media programming, represents the most well respected, award-winning roster of former champions and respected analytical voices in sports television.

Big Lead Sports, the leading independent digital sports company with more than 19 million users, will partner with TXNSPORTS.com on April 25 when the Network produces its first-ever sports show previewing the NFL Draft.  The show, which will feature Collinsworth, Esiason, Long and Simms, will include exclusive draft breakdown by the top voices in NFL television. It will be streamed and promoted across all of Big Lead Sports' digital platforms, along with other content to be developed by TXN and Big Lead Sports.

In addition to launching TXNSPORTS.com, the members of TXN will team up to for endorsements, appearances, voice-overs and testimonials, among other marketing endeavors.  TXN will also direct and create digital platforms and original sports content for other forms of digital distribution.

TXN launched its first digital effort with Turner/SI.com and Allstate Insurance to produce Behind-The-Mic, a series of web-based vignettes providing exclusive expert analysis on news and issues in sports.

"This team has the voice and the power to collaborate in a way that is truly unique in sports, media and marketing.  The guys who form TXN and are launching TXNSPORTS.com represent an expertise, a demographic and a lifestyle; they are trusted, familiar and popular," said Frank Vuono, Partner, 16W Marketing.  "On the great stage provided by the Big Lead, TXN will connect in a new and fan friendly platform."  

"We are proud to work with 16W Marketing and TXN on the launch event and online platform," said Chris Russo, Big Lead Sports CEO. "The key to success today is to provide fans with high quality content from leading experts.  Working with TXN, we can deliver a great event and a unique online experience for our 19 million users."

"This is a great opportunity to work with a team I respect as the most popular and influential voices in sports," said Boomer Esiason.   "We each bring something a little different to the programming and the partnership and we are already having some fun with the group at 16W collaborating on new ventures and programming ideas."

Founded as Fantasy Sports Ventures, in October, 2006, Big Lead Sports (BLS) is an integrated marketing and media company with a focus on digital/fantasy sports.  BLS brings together leading independent voices across all major sports on BigLeadSports.com.  The company reaches more than 19 million+ users per month and is the leading independent digital sports property (not owned by a major media company or sports league).  Leveraging its large, highly engaged audience, BLS develops custom marketing and media campaigns for leading national advertisers.  The campaigns combine traditional online media with custom games, content modules, widgets, and other interactive features that highlight the advertiser's brand.  Chris Russo, the former head of the NFL's New Media Division, is the founder and CEO of Big Lead Sports.

Collinsworth is the Emmy Award-winning analyst and the lead analyst of NBC Sports Sunday Night Football and contributor to Showtime's INSIDE THE NFL.   Esiason is an analyst for CBS Sports NFL TODAY and the co-host of Boomer and Carton on WFAN NY.   He is also the lead analyst of Monday Night Football on Westwood One Radio Network.   Faldo is the lead analyst of golf for CBS Sports and The Golf Channel.   Long is a lead analyst for NFL on FOX pre-game show.   Cal Ripken Jr. is an analyst for MLB on Turner.   Simms is the lead analyst for the NFL on CBS, and a contributor to INSIDE THE NFL on Showtime.

About 16W Marketing, LLC

16W Marketing, LLC, led by partners Frank Vuono and Steve Rosner, is a full service sports marketing company utilizing a completely integrated approach in the development of client programs. 16W specializes in athlete/celebrity marketing, corporate sponsorship, broadcast negotiations, special events, corporate hospitality, stadium development, venue entitlement and online/e-commerce solutions. In addition to representing some of the top sports personalities of all time including Howie Long, Boomer Esiason, Phil Simms, Cris Collinsworth, Cal Ripken Jr. and Nick Faldo; 16W Marketing also provides marketing consultation to the New York Giants, The Experts Network (TXN), NFL Alumni Association (NFLA), FieldTurf, First Aviation and Thee Mike.

SOURCE 16W Marketing, LLC