What the American Needle decision means for NFL gaming.... - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

What the American Needle decision means for NFL gaming.... Stuck

Posted on May 25, 2010 at 01:16 AM.

(11)

I'll just be frank since it's late and writing this in the morning would make me the slowest person to react to this -- instead of next to slowest: the decision doesn't mean much at all at this point.

Nothing has been decided except the NFL can't use the single entity defense in the American Needle case. So for right now, gamers have no reason to celebrate since nothing has been decided as to how licenses can be issued. Here are a few potential outcomes out of this case and what it might mean for gamers:

American Needle wins a favorable decision in the lower courts and NFL Teams negotiate all licenses by themselves and all existing NFL exclusive deals are up for challenge with the anti-trust monkier brought on. So you could have TV Deals, Video Game Deals, etc. all being challenged on the same grounds as the American Needle case. In an absolute worst case scenario, this could lead to teams negotiating their own TV deals, video game deals, etc. So for instance, you could have Buffalo and New England in a game by Take Two, the Chiefs and Broncos in a Backbreaker game and the Cowboys and Steelers in EA's game. Talk about ruining football gaming. Calm down though OSers, this is the least likely outcome. It is very likely the NFL will retain some controls over how this stuff does go down.
American Needle could win and the judge could rule the NFL can't discriminate against anyone wanting to buy a license to use NFL teams for whatever they want. It's possible that in that case, the NFL could get a partnership formed and then raise licensing fees on everything so that the companies they have existing agreements with are the only ones who can afford to buy the licenses anyways.
In a best case scenario for gamers, the above ruling takes place and licensing fees are as such that different gaming companies are able to enter the NFL arena once again.
And finally -- the NFL could just win the case -- making all of this awesome speculation for naught -- and the status quo is continued as is.

So what do you think this decision means for gamers? Do you see the NFL winning the case? Sound off!

Chris is the Executive Editor of Operation Sports and maintains this blog on the site. He is also a native Oklahoman and avid storm chaser. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisSnr.

Comments

# 1 videlsports @ May 25

I think there is more than hope. Companies can make games with respective cities and custimizable rosters. Cool if They could sign all the teams but if not maybe playoff teams like The Old Tecmo Bowl. I can edit QB#17 for the Raiders as Jason Cambell Etc. Just get a better 2k and Backbreaker title out there with the new ruling.

# 2 TheGipper86 @ May 25

I'd like to point out that the ruling was specifically for merchandise, even more specifically, hats. This ruling had nothing to do with other NFL exclusivity realms, including Madden. So seriously, move along. Nothing to see here.

# 3 rudyjuly2 @ May 25

Yeah, I don't see this changing much. Besides, do gamers realize the NFLPA backs American Needle in the case? They have just as much say if not more on the exclusive deals. At any time the NFLPA could have said we want to give our license out to more than one company. Even if a Backbreaker wouldn't have NFL team logos it's more important to have real players. The NFLPA could make that happen but they are just as guilty as wanting the exclusive money from EA.

# 4 TreyIM2 @ May 25

Well, hopefully, of course, this will lead back to opening up the football gaming market to using the NFL license. That's all I want, and to those who don't buy Madden or want people to do so, I, for one, am not throwing out the bath water with the baby, nor do I like cutting off my nose to spite my face.
Madden is NOT that bad, at all, to me. I don't get uber-anal about things in the game like many people do to the point that it makes me not want to play the game. I still enjoy the games DESPITE what they may lack.
I just try to be proactive in trying to promote change. I gave them my list of things, which u can see on my page, not only as a direct blog post for Ian but also on the EA Sports Madden 10 feedback forum. I LOVE NFL football and football console gaming way too much to just throw up my hands and say, "Eff it, I'm not playing Madden anymore" especially since it's been getting better.
While I would LOVE the NFL license to open up to ALL dev-comers, especially if it would resurrect NFL2K (uhh, they won't have ESPN no-mo, though, as long as EA has THAT license. Could make a difference) and even let Backbreaker 2 or 3 get in on the action. Hell, I would hope Sony gets back in the game with another NFL Game Day. I used to play those games way more than Madden, for a while.

# 5 videlsports @ May 25

Even though it's just clothing Merch, that the ruling was for, They will still look @ Exclusvity as a whole. Alot of peopleare tired already about the possibility of open liscnsing but this still points in he right Direction. I' mean Madden gts hyped every year so why not hype this?

# 6 BlackRome @ May 25

The only good thing about this is you might get those classic Starter jackets back from the eighties. Nike owns them now. I just don't like Rebook products. Personally I hope Nike gets back into making NFL gear.

# 7 Shinyhubcaps @ May 26

Wait, did you write this before the verdict was announced?

American Needle wins unanimously.

# 8 e0820 @ May 26

I hope American Needle does win and retains the rights to NFL merchandise. It would open doors. I dont see gaming companies wanting to persue NFL licenses though, too much money to spend on top of the money to purchase the license if they win. We will have to be patient and wait and see.

# 9 RaychelSnr @ May 26

Shiny,

American Needle hasn't won anything licensing wise, just that the NFL can't use the single entity defense the rest of the way. There are numerous details to sort out and no one has 'won' anything yet. The NFL could easily get out of this with minimal changes yet.