Add ESPN to your list of major media outlets who have designed a portal specifically for the iPhone. While they might have had an easier time customizing their PodCenter with podcasts and downloadable media for the iPhone (after all, they were already halfway there with a PodCenter), they win absolutely zero points for the URL you use to get there:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/iphone/

If you know of a better way, please sound off.

As far as the iPhone-ified UI, ESPN did a pretty good job. Shows are listed descending by date, and tapping on a specific episode presents a logo, brief description and the ability to stream the episode. ESPN has also launched a few new shows for this rev to the PodCenter, though I can't get a single one to play yet. For now, I'll chalk that up to growing pains, since this iPhone UI more or less just launched today.

[via iPhone Alley]

So, have you selected your favorite Super Bowl ad? I liked the giant monster and robot who gave birth to the Hummer. Yeah, it was creepy, but I laughed at the tagline, "It's a little monster."

If you still haven't made your selection, you can review all of the commercials via this video podcast set up by Podcasting News. Unlike ESPN's Sports Center, you don't have to pay to watch these commercials.*

Descriptions, links, and complete coverage of the Super Bowl 2006 ads can also be found by our friends over at AdJab. Check out their extensive coverage here.

*Yes, I realize the Sports Center ads are free now.

[Via Micro Persuasion]

It would seem that the ESPN "This is Sports Center" ads [link] that were giving people the "...not available in the US store" error in the iTunes Music Store last week are working again. Also, extended highlights and gold medal runs from the 2006 Winter X Games [link] have been added as well.

Don't forget, today is "New Music Content Tuesday," in the iTMS, so hunt around to see what you can find.

Reader Radical Bender has alerted us to some additional ESPN/ABC Sports clips that have shown up in the iTunes Music Store [Link]. Specifically, the best of the X Games (both current and from the X Games 9 in Aspen), shorts from Sports Century, five episodes of Street Ball and several of the very funny "This Is Sports Center" ads. Check it out.

Sports fans rejoice! Sports programming is officially coming to the iTunes Music Store starting today. ESPN and ABC Sports will be offering sports programs on iTMS. ABC Sports programming will kick off today when condensed versions of yesterday's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Nokia Sugar Bowl will be available. Today's Orange Bowl and tomorrow's Rose Bowl will each be available the day after they air.

Later this month we'll see content from ESPN, including The Best of the X Games, Sports Century interviews, This is Sports Center commercials, and Knight School (an upcoming reality program starring Texas Tech basketball coach Bobby Knight).

The Walt Disney Company will be also be offering some new non-sports programming on iTMS later this month. Promised programs include:

• Wildfire - an ABC Family original series;
• Kim Possible, and The Proud Family - Disney Channel animated series;
• Soapography - SOAPnet's original biography series;
• America's Funniest Home Videos;
• School House Rock vignettes; and
• Ebert & Roeper episodes.

iTMS will also offer free, ad-supported video podcasts from ABC News, including segments from the Good Morning America and World News Tonight webcast.

As of this writing, we don't see the promised sports content on iTMS. Let us know as soon as you see it.

UPDATE - 5 p.m. EST - The Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl highlights are now available for $1.99 each.

[via Business Wire]