Yahoo! Scores an NFL Webcast Deal

Yahoo! (YHOO Quote - Cramer on YHOO - Stock Picks) reached an agreement with the National Football League designed to boost the availability of live audio football broadcasts on the Web.

Under the deal, terms of which weren't disclosed, more than 90% of this season's games will be broadcast live, at no charge, on NFL.com and team sites. Yahoo!'s broadcasting services will operate the audio Webcasts, and the games will also be available through the Yahoo! Sports site.

The deal underscores Yahoo! efforts to turn its once-bare-bones site into a clearinghouse for audiovisual media, including its FinanceVision investment news broadcast. It also demonstrates the appeal of sports content on the Web.

Yahoo! shares fell $1.94, to $84.12.