ESPN Deportes brings out ‘EN VIVO’ virtual gaming.

brings its ESPN Deportes ¡En Vivo! interactive consumer experience to ESPN The Magazine’s Next Big Weekend consumer event in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale at the Scottsdale Center of the Performing Arts, Saturday, Feb. 2 noon to 6 p.m.

In attendance to meet and greet fans will be San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, along with Spanish-language Monday Night Football commentator team Álvaro Martín (announcer), former New York Giants Raul Allegre, and SportsCenter anchor Ciro Procuna.

The one-of-a kind, virtual gaming center contained within a giant 90′ X 70′ transportable stadium, will engage sports enthusiasts like never before as it makes its first of nine stops to marquee consumer events in 2008. Sports fans will be invited to visit the 90′ X 70′ “ESPN Deportes ¡En Vivo! to participate in the action-packed virtual games. Once inside the ESPN Deportes Stadium, fans will be introduced to:

o ESPN Deportes ¡En Vivo! Virtual Football Race will give guests the opportunity to outrun each other by stepping on foot controller pads in front of a virtual screen. Sensors will track their performance while running to the goal line. Points will be awarded based on performance.
o ESPN Deportes Radio SportsCenter Desk – will feature a live radio remote.
o ESPN Comfort Zone where consumers get the chance to win prizes while enjoying information on ESPN Deportes, the NFL and DIRECTV Más™.
o Madden NFL 08 en Español, the Spanish-language version of EA’s Madden NFL 08 video game for Xbox360 and PlayStation2 released in December 2007 through a partnership with the NFL and EA Sports. Guests will enjoy Madden NFL 08 en Español’s fully customized Spanish-language offerings featured throughout the game, including calls by ESPN Deportes NFL play-by-play announcer Álvaro Martín and exclusive music by Latin artists Kinto Sol, Molotov and Maná.

ESPN Deportes ¡En Vivo!’s appearance at NEXT will mark the launch of its 2008 nine-city tour to key U.S. Hispanic markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Orlando throughout the year. During this one-of-a-kind event, the NFL and DIRECTV Más™ will participate as local co-sponsors bringing their brands to life through this unique interactive experience.

“We are happy to kickoff the 2008 tour of ESPN Deportes ¡En Vivo!” with premier partners like the NFL and DIRECTV Más,” said Maribel Viteri, director of marketing, ESPN Deportes. “ESPN Deportes en Vivo is another example of our commitment to give fans the opportunity to further interact with our brand. We also hope to attract additional sponsors that share our passion for elevating experiential marketing for the Latino sports fan.”

“We are thrilled to add to our existing partnership with ESPN Deportes as we continue to bring the NFL to Hispanics in innovative ways,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Director of Marketing. “Expanding our connection with Spanish-language fans is an important priority for the NFL, and we are excited to work together with ESPN Deportes to achieve this goal.”

The Magazine’s NEXT Big Weekend will also feature performances by Grammy Award nominee Soulja Boy Tell’Em who will take the stage to perform and hold a “Crank That” dance challenge with athletes. The event will also feature the newest innovations in sports from pro batter simulators to future concept cars over 21 acres of land at the Scottsdale Performing Arts venue.