ESPN and Sportvision Debut Hi Tech Graphic Effects for 2007 MLS Broadcasts

Backed by
the infusion of International stars and ESPN’s presentation of all MLS matches
in high definition coverage for the first time, Sportvision, Inc., the leading
innovator of new media sports content and broadcast enhancements, in
conjunction with ESPN, today announced that new graphic effects will be
integrated into 2007 MLS telecasts on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The new
enhancements debuted on ABC’s telecast of the DC United at Colorado Rapids
match, on Saturday April 7th at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Highlighting
the new effects will be the
Yellow Off-Sides Line, which
utilizes Sportvision’s video overlay technology similar to the famous Yellow
1st & Ten Line™ seen on NFL/NCAA football broadcasts that
will draw a yellow off-sides line on the screen. The off-sides rule in
soccer is extremely complex to casual fans, thus the new effect is designed to
serve as a tool for analysts to educate and better illustrate the rule to
viewers.

To be
in an “off-sides position,” a player must be on the opponent’s half
of the field & closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball &
the second-last defender, at the moment the ball is “played” by a
teammate.

To most
effectively illustrate the rule, Sportvision will render the yellow off-side
line from sideline to sideline, underneath the second-last defender (including
the goalkeeper) on key replays.

Additionally,
Sportvision will integrate Kick-Track technology into the broadcast, enabling
viewers to see speed, distance and trajectory of various kicks, such as
shots-on-goal, free-kicks, corner kicks, and more. This technology
renders a virtual trajectory behind the soccer ball on replays
, while complementing the graphic with
unique data that enables the analyst to better educate the viewer.

“Soccer is
the preeminent global sport, and we are excited to work in conjunction with
ESPN to develop technologies that provide

U.S. fans with a better
understanding of the game,” said Hank Adams, CEO, Sportvision, Inc.