Giants-Patriots contest to be first NFL game broadcast in 3D

3D TV is coming to the NFL.

Verizon announced on Wednesday that it will produce the New England Patriots-New York Giants preseason game on Sept. 2 in 3D, the first NFL game widely distributed in the still-evolving format.

The game will air on Verizon FiOS 1 in New York, New England and New Jersey. Customers will need to have 3D TV sets, 3D glasses and high-definition boxes to receive the 3D broadcast.

"This is the next major step in our development of 3D experiences for our FiOS TV customers," Verizon executive Terry Denson said. "Broadcasting the first 3D NFL game delivers on our promise to FiOS customers to provide a superior TV offering, including 3D, HD and VOD programming, as well as interactivity that cable can't match."

3D broadcasts are still in their infancy. ESPN launched a 3D network this year, but the offerings are still limited.

The NFL produced a Raiders-Chargers game in 3D in 2008, but the broadcasts were limited to select audiences.

-- Sean Leahy