Whether you want analysis on the football game, news on the latest baseball trade or are looking to see last night’s game-winning goal, chances are there’s an app for you. With that in mind, it’s time to bring out the couch potato in your iPhone with these sports apps that are heavy on highlights.
iPhone apps for NFL video
The NFL is more than a little stingy when it comes to letting others using their video. But that doesn’t mean you can get action from the league on your iPhone.
In addition to news from Rotoworld.com and live scoring, NBC Sports Mobile includes a large video collection from NBCSports.com. The free app includes exclusive videos from ProFootballTalk.com, as well as post-game and pregame clips from the network’s Sunday Night Football coverage
Likewise, you won’t find weekly game recaps in CBS Sports Mobile, but there’s still content to satisfy your football hunger – videos include segments from “The NFL Today” and weekly clips from CBSSports.com. Like the NBC app, it’s also free and covers all sports as well.
iPhone apps for College sports video
Unlike professional football, there are no shortage of college sports apps stuffed with video.
CBS Interactive, the same company behind CBS Sports Mobile, has released a series of $4.99 apps specific to college teams – Sooner Sports, BamaMobile, Iowa Hawkeyes, MizzouMobile, USCAthletics, TarHeelMobile, Seminoles Mobile, KUAthletics and OSUTube.
In addition to the standard news and scores, each app includes a multimedia section with game highlights and interviews. The apps are relatively new and haven’t received the greatest reviews, largely due to complaints about the price, but for many of these programs, these are the only apps that offer video.
Speaking of team-based apps, they aren’t many better than Notre Dame Central, an app devoted entirely to Notre Dame football. While it includes news and stats, this $1.99 download from NBC is based around a video section that includes highlights, press conferences and re-broadcasts of every 2009 NBC Notre Dame game. Notre Dame Central also includes classic game broadcasts, so Fighting Irish fans can relive past glory during tough times.
As the title suggests, SEC Sports brings you weekly highlights from every one of the conference’s games. While SECSports.com covers all of the conference’s sports, the app itself is almost exclusive to football, and it’s not yet clear if other sports will be added to the video section. Regardless, this app is a must-own for fans of SEC schools.
Big Ten Highlights lacks the flash and depth of its SEC rival, but it does have plenty of video content. The highlights are from the Big Ten Network, and the only real downside of this free app is that it takes a couple of days to update.
Best of the rest
Even though the MLB season is over, MLB.com At Bat is still providing relevant content. Videos covering offseason transactions and rumors are added from the league’s Web site, meaning this great app is still great, even though next season is almost five months away.
Basketball fans really only have one option to turn to – NBA League Pass Mobile. The app is downright expensive ($39.95), but it includes live streaming, as well as game replays and highlights.
Those looking for soccer highlights have more options, with two of the best being the Arsenal and MyMadrid apps. Both apps have plenty of content in addition to their video features, and are two of the better team-based apps available for any sport.
There has never been a shortage of golf apps, either. This past year saw the release of three free, highlight-heavy apps – The Open Championship, The Masters Golf Tournament and US Open Golf Championship. All include round-by-round highlights and coverage, and if they make a return next year (very likely, given their overwhelmingly positive response) they also boast limited live coverage of the events.
Despite their recent struggles, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still one the most prestigious sport franchises around. The team’s app, Toronto Maple Leafs, includes postgame interviews and reaction in what amounts to a mediocre multimedia section. Overall, though, it is a great app.
