NBA.com has launched its third season on the Web with
new features, a new design and increased game coverage. The
site's new NBA.com Arena will include a full range of game-
coverage offerings, including live audio broadcasts, real-
time box scores, running play-by-play and a live scoreboard.
Other new elements of NBA.com include: NBA.com Audio League
Pass, which offers subscribers live local radio broadcasts
of every NBA game for $19.95. Free broadcasts will be
available up to three times per week. Also, Virtual GM
presented by Gatorade, features a contest in which fans
construct their own team of NBA players (NBA.com). In
MEDIAWEEK, Bernhard Warner reports that new advertisers on
NBA.com include DirecTV, adidas, Reebok, Topps Trading Cards
and arcade game manufacturer Midway. Gatorade is a
returning advertiser, and Ad Manager Liz Bardetti said that
over the last two seasons the brand has had a 5% "click-
through rate on NBA.com, almost twice as high as its rate on
other sites" (Bernhard Warner, MEDIAWEEK, 10/27 issue).
