Even in the economic slowdown, the application market is consistently flourishing, as is evident with the ESPN MVP application, one of the most downloaded applications on Verizon's V Cast.

Users have access to up-to-the-minute scores with Gamecast, can view video highlights and listen to ESPN radio clips. The application can also be personalized according to the user's favorite teams, players and ESPN columnists. ESPN MVP gives true fanatics the ability to manage their ESPN fantasy teams straight from their mobile devices.

"The current implementation of ESPN MVP utilizes the Brew platform and is available exclusively on Verizon as part of the V Cast service," said Jennifer Hodges, director of marketing at UIEvolution, Kirkland, WA.

UIEvolution created the application.

One of the main features of ESPN MVP is the Sideline menu where users access real-time scores, news and information quickly. Tabs within the Sideline menu include menu, ESPN alerts, scores, news, ESPN columnists, fantasy, hot corner, video and player tracker.

The lead menus offer quick access to several categories such as news and scores. Users can access information about any of the following sports or divisions through the lead menu: MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAF, NCAAB, NCAAW, WNBA, Golf, Autos, Tennis and Boxing.

The application was originally built as a Java application and was intended to be available on Sprint.

Reportedly the first attempt was unsuccessful due to its ties to an overpriced handset and flawed business model, which led to the newer version from Verizon.

"This was a business decision by ESPN and offers Verizon V Cast users exclusive access to a rich client ESPN experience that includes audio, video and real-time scores and information," Ms. Hodges said.

ESPN MVP allows users the option to navigate through broad information to the specific information they're interested in. Every time a user clicks menu from a page, they are instantly taken to a corresponding menu of related items for that page.

For example, if a user is visiting the Dallas Maverick's page, the menu key brings up options for schedules, roster, statistics, injuries and transactions.

Since users can personalize every aspect of the application, stories that correspond to favorite teams and players or stories that are written by favorite columnists are quickly accessible to the user.

For the fantasy team junkies, ESPN MVP sends automatic alerts on fantasy team members such as injury and substitution notifications, league updates and player statistics.

Users can also sign up for real-time updates for their favorite events such as The Masters, March Madness and the NFL Draft. ESPN alerts are sent to the user's inbox via text message.

To download the application, users must confirm that they have a Verizon V Cast V PAK subscription and can download ESPN MVP for free from the "Get It Now" menu.

There are currently no advertisements deployed within the application.

Also available from Verizon Wireless is ESPN Mobile TV which is a V Cast channel that runs 24 hours featuring news, commentary, real-time scores and updates, along with live game and event coverage and more than 75 NCAA football match-ups.

"ESPN markets the application in print, Web and TV advertising with joint advertising efforts between Verizon and ESPN," Ms. Hodges said.