Sports scores, etc.

Recently, Google partnered with ESPN and Major League Baseball so that additional information will now show up in search results.  For example, current and upcoming games, including scores and TV listings.  I think we all know that we have a few customers who frequently call the Call Center looking for this particular information.

Let's say there's a call asking about either NFL scores or TV schedules.  Simply perform a search in Google for nfl espn:

In the image above, we see the results of our search.  The two most recent games that have already concluded have scores, including links to the right for a recap (news article of game) and the box score (statistics).  Future games are listed as well, and include the scheduled game time to the right.  

Clicking on the 1:00 PM (ET) link will take you to an ESPN page previewing the game:

Here we can see that the game will take place in New Orleans at the Superdome, and will be televised by FOX at 1:00 PM.

Back on our results page, we see a link at the bottom of the list to show more games:

Clicking on this will expand the list to display the full schedule for the upcoming week:

Similar searches can be performed for Major League Baseball games too.

In Google, search for mlb.com:

The results list will display in a similar fashion as our nfl espn search.  Notice that in the image above, the game between the Mets and Nationals is ongoing, as indicated by the bottom 1st link to the right of the listing.  The game is 0-0 in the bottom half of the first inning.  Games that have not yet started include a link with the scheduled start time; clicking on the link opens a game preview page on mlb.com, along with radio and TV broadcast information:

Hopefully this will make some of those sports questions from our regulars a little bit easier to answer.  To find out more information, see Google's Inside Search blog.