Stocks to Kickoff the NFL Season (VZ, SIRI, PEP)

For pro football fans, the long, long wait is finally over. Summer is fun and all, but eventually it’s time to put away the golf clubs and fishing rods and get down to the business of gridiron conflict. Here are some companies that are providing products and services to make the season more enjoyable and exciting for fans.  In fact, they provide so many ways to get involved in the NFL that it’s difficult to find time for other things besides enjoying football. Things like work, for example.

Never Miss a Key Play

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is offering the NFL RedZone premium sports channel to its FiOS TV subscribers when the channel officially launches on Sept. 13. This enables fans to see every crucial play, as it happens, when a team moves inside its opponent’s 20-yard line. The channel switches from game to game as these important plays occur, so you never miss the action—in real time–that makes the difference between victory and defeat.

A Trip to Paradise: Football 24/7

SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL.  Theirs is the only radio channel dedicated entirely to pro football talk, SIRIUS NFL radio, channel 124. They offer in-depth coverage of the NFL all day, every day, all year round.  Their talk shows are hosted by well-known NFL experts (at least they view themselves as experts) and feature interviews with players and coaches.

Their “Best of SIRIUS” programming package includes live play-by-play of every single game.  In addition they have a “Pigskin Pick ‘Em Game” on SIRIUS.com. Fans can log onto the website each week and pick which teams they think will win, and then see how their picks fared versus “the experts” on SIRIUS NFL Radio.  Weekly prizes are awarded.

Winning Isn’t Everything (Tailgating is)

The editors of Kelley Blue Book have selected the Top 10 Tailgating Cars; you can see their choices at www.kbb.com/toptailgatingcars. Their website, www.kbb.com, is the leading provider of new car and used car information.

What makes for a great tailgating vehicle? According to Kelly Blue Book, features such as fold-down tailgates equipped with step-ladder and handle, multiple video monitors prime for game-watching, and built-in table and seating options. Among their picks were the Ford F-150 (NYSE: F). Maybe football fans can revive Detroit.

In Search of the Most Fanatical Fans

PepsiCo’s (NYSE: PEP) Frito-Lay North America division and the National Football League have a new contest to find the NFL’s “most fanatical family” . First prize is terrific: a five-day trip to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida, where the winners will see the game from a VIP suite at Dolphin Stadium.

You can enter until Oct. 5 by visiting www.nfl.com/callingallfamilies and submitting a photograph of your family on game day and penning an essay describing why your family is the most fanatical. Judging will be based on “team spirit, enthusiasm for the game and demonstration of family gathering.” The entries will be narrowed down to eight semi-finalists, who will visit NFL Films and appear in a video to demonstrate why they should be the winners.

The NFL games offer a unique kind of excitement. You almost wish the season were longer.  They’re probably working on that at NFL headquarters.