EA Sports and the NFL "Still Have a Number of Years" on License

[RedskinsGM2B]

What I've often been puzzled about is, WHY the NFL would "prefer" exclusivity?? I understand that they want to have input on how the NFL is portrayed in games. That's fine. However, if there were 2 OTHER developers willing to design within those confines & could present a comparable quality product as that of EA's (actually better than).... Why wouldn't the NFL desire or even "prefer" to have their brand & industry being developed & marketed by more than ONE developer/publisher??? I mean, certainly they can't stand to lose in that scenario?? Can they? Wouldn't everyone still purchase the game of their choice?? Furthermore, like myself, wouldn't there be buyers of the same 'ol game...buying the new games too?? At one time, I owned 3 different NFL products on my console each year. Doesn't that make even more money for the NFL?? If buyers are willing to own both products?

[JaymeeAwesome]

I found a good read about exclusive and non exclusive. It's about inventions but explains why EA is in favor of exclusive.

http://www.idea2invention.com/licensing-agreements.html

[yankeesgiants]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedskinsGM2B

What I've often been puzzled about is, WHY the NFL would "prefer" exclusivity?? I understand that they want to have input on how the NFL is portrayed in games. That's fine. However, if there were 2 OTHER developers willing to design within those confines & could present a comparable quality product as that of EA's (actually better than).... Why wouldn't the NFL desire or even "prefer" to have their brand & industry being developed & marketed by more than ONE developer/publisher??? I mean, certainly they can't stand to lose in that scenario?? Can they? Wouldn't everyone still purchase the game of their choice?? Furthermore, like myself, wouldn't there be buyers of the same 'ol game...buying the new games too?? At one time, I owned 3 different NFL products on my console each year. Doesn't that make even more money for the NFL?? If buyers are willing to own both products?

2 reasons:

1. economics: less is more
2. Easier QA of all licensed products for all parties involved. A total cluster bleep in the 90's. Far easier today to manage.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedskinsGM2B

What I've often been puzzled about is, WHY the NFL would "prefer" exclusivity?? I understand that they want to have input on how the NFL is portrayed in games. That's fine. However, if there were 2 OTHER developers willing to design within those confines & could present a comparable quality product as that of EA's (actually better than).... Why wouldn't the NFL desire or even "prefer" to have their brand & industry being developed & marketed by more than ONE developer/publisher??? I mean, certainly they can't stand to lose in that scenario?? Can they? Wouldn't everyone still purchase the game of their choice?? Furthermore, like myself, wouldn't there be buyers of the same 'ol game...buying the new games too?? At one time, I owned 3 different NFL products on my console each year. Doesn't that make even more money for the NFL?? If buyers are willing to own both products?

That's what the logical thinking would be, but, when the original deal was signed, a former EA employee who worked on MVP Baseball and is a poster here, stated that the NFL made more with one exclusive license vs 3 or 4 licenses combined.

[TjJunior]

The majority of us around the US are gonna buy regardless. If its EA 2K or whoever. America loves football. How else could you explain the Pro Bowl getting higher ratings than the entire NHL outdoor series? (Judging by a per contest basis.) We know which is better, but the NFL gets the fans no matter how its represented.

[myownsun]

I won't be playing madden or watching the nfl because of this exclusivity deal.

[JaymeeAwesome]

Quote: Originally Posted by myownsun

I won't be playing madden or watching the nfl because of this exclusivity deal.

Yes you will.

[jmarcguy]

I won't buy a Madden until I feel there's significant changes. I know it's improving & maybe next year I'll get it. If not then I'll survive. I haven't had a new football game in 10 yrs now. I'll manage.