ESPN today announced its latest social media play with a complete integration of Facebook Connect Social Plugins on ESPN.com.  The application will debut in ESPN.com’s revamped 2010 NFL DraftCast presented by GMC in conjunction with real-time news and picks from this year’s much anticipated 2010 NFL Draft, airing Rounds 1-3 live from Radio City Music Hall in New York beginning this Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The integration of Facebook Connect Social Plugins on ESPN.com will include fLike within the DraftCast.  Facebook users will be able to mark the picks of players they like as they are updated across the top of the page, as well as teams they like under the DraftTicker.  Fans will also be able to update their status about the draft within the DraftCast page.  Status updates can be shared either with everyone watching the event or just to friends.  A live streaming widget will also be viewable by clicking on the Facebook icon within the NFL Draft Live window.  Other integrations of the fLike buttons will appear within ESPN.com’s clubhouse and player pages, blogs and columnists.

The newly redesigned 2010 NFL DraftCast includes:

• NFL Draft Live: A feature that allows users to interact with ESPN.com writers, bloggers and other draft experts across the country, including real-time blogging and team reviews from all eight NFL division bloggers — Tim Graham (Miami), Paul Kuharsky (Nashville), Matt Mosley (Washington), Mike Sando (Seattle), Kevin Seifert (Detroit), James Walker (Cleveland), Bill Williamson (Denver) and Pat Yasinskas (Tampa);
• DraftTracker: Pick-by-pick data in real time;
• SportsNation: Draft grades and polling from sports fans across the country; and
• Video: Breakdowns of every first-round pick by ESPN’s Herm Edwards.

The 2010 NFL Draft on ESPN’s digital platforms include comprehensive coverage on ESPN.com leading up to and throughout all three days of the Draft with analysis and insight from Kiper, Todd McShay, Scouts Inc. experts and others.  ESPN senior writers Jeffri Chadiha (Kansas City), John Clayton (New York) and Len Pasquarelli (Atlanta) will also offer columns and insights.

Additionally, ESPN Mobile will give fans on-the-go access to Draft-related news and information including a Draft section on ESPN’s mobile web site complete with video, player profiles, analysis and breaking news.  ESPN.com’s favorite columnists are also highlighted as well as player skill breakdowns from the experts at Scouts Inc.  ESPN Mobile TV will offer vignettes and features all week and throughout each round, and ESPN’s MVP subscribers will get one-touch access to Draft-related news, information and video.

-30-