2K Partners with NFLPA to Allow NFL Players in Multiple Football Games

[Kanobi]

Link: https://ir.take2games.com/news-relea...ews_date_value

Quote:

2K Announces Partnership with OneTeam Partners & the NFL Players Association Download PDF Multiple NFL video games in development to include football's most prominent star players OneTeam Partners plays leading role in player-driven partnership NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 30, 2020-- 2K, OneTeam Partners (OneTeam) and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), today announced a partnership that will allow the label to include National Football League (NFL) players in multiple football games in development and set to launch starting in calendar year 2021, during Take-Two Interactive’s fiscal year 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/ho...0730005260/en/ The partnership will grant 2K the right to feature the names, numbers, images and likenesses for over 2,000 current NFL players. OneTeam, the NFLPA’s group licensing representative, facilitated the deal. Financial terms were not disclosed. “We’re thrilled to be working with the NFLPA and OneTeam to bring the biggest and best stars in football to the games we’re working on,” said David Ismailer, President of 2K. “We want to give fans experiences that are authentic, memorable and fun, and having a roster of real-life sports heroes through the Players Association and OneTeam is a huge part of delivering on that promise.” “2K has a proven track record of high-profile and successful business relationships with other sports leagues, professional athletes and their collective fans,” said Steve Scebelo, Interim President of NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm the NFLPA. “The label makes some of the best sports video games in the world, and we look forward to working with 2K, our players and OneTeam on future projects.” “Sports video gaming is a massive growth category, and the partnership between the NFLPA and 2K presents an opportunity not only to excite current gamers but also reach untapped future audiences,” said Ahmad Nassar, CEO of OneTeam Partners. “Our role is to bring together strong collective rights that can be supported by the most innovative and creative businesses, benefiting all stakeholders. We are pleased to be a part of this important partnership.” 2K's NFL games will be non-simulation football game experiences, and are currently in early stages of development. Specific game titles, developers and release dates will be announced at a later date. For more information on 2K, visit 2K.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the company on Twitter and Instagram or subscribe on YouTube. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders. About Take-Two Interactive Software Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. We develop and publish products principally through Rockstar Games, 2K, Private Division, and Social Point. Our products are designed for console systems and personal computers, including smartphones and tablets, and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online platforms and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com. About 2K Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes global interactive entertainment for console and handheld gaming systems, personal computers and mobile devices, with product availability including physical retail and digital download. The Company is home to many talented development studios, including Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union and Cloud Chamber. 2K’s portfolio currently includes the renowned BioShock®, Borderlands™, Mafia and XCOM® franchises; NBA® 2K, the global phenomenon and highest rated* annual sports title for the current console generation; the critically acclaimed Sid Meier’s Civilization® series; the popular WWE® 2K and WWE® SuperCard franchises, as well as emerging properties NBA® 2K Playgrounds 2, Carnival Games and more. Additional information about 2K and its products may be found at 2k.com. * According to 2008 – 2020 Metacritic.com About OneTeam Partners Formed in November 2019, OneTeam Partners is a joint venture between the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and RedBird Capital. OneTeam helps athletes maximize the value of their name, image and likeness rights by transforming the way in which athletes interact with businesses across four verticals: group licensing, athlete marketing, content and venture investing. OneTeam represents a range of commercial business interests on behalf of the NFLPA, MLBPA, Major League Soccer Players Association, United States Women’s National Team Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, and United States Rugby Players Association. About the NFL Players Association The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 NFL season. About NFL Players Inc. NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit .

[illwill10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Kanobi

Link: https://ir.take2games.com/news-relea...ews_date_value

Main question now is what does "non-simulation" mean? Since they said more info will be revealed at later deal, I expect to hear more info on games starting end of this year to early next year.

Going slightly off-topic, seeing the OneTeam helped facilitate licensing deal, I wonder if they could help facilitate a NIL licensing deal for college athletes for a potential return of NCAA sports titles if NCAA lightens up and allows group licensing in NIL bill.

[TecmoZack]

This is most excellent

Now how long do we wait to see clarification on"sim" and what this game will be?

[michaelhawj]

Quote: Originally Posted by illwill10

Main question now is what does "non-simulation" mean? Since they said more info will be revealed at later deal, I expect to hear more info on games starting end of this year to early next year. Going slightly off-topic, seeing the OneTeam helped facilitate licensing deal, I wonder if they could help facilitate a NIL licensing deal for college athletes for a potential return of NCAA sports titles if NCAA lightens up and allows group licensing in NIL bill.

non-simulation is like more arcade style similar to NFL Blitz/Street and WWE 2k battleground

[Steve_OS]

It's going to be some sort of NFL 2K Playgrounds game or something very similar. Since EA has the exclusive rights to "simulation football" there's no way 2K will make anything close to a sim. It's arcade or nothing at this point and maybe the NFL doesn't go exclusive in 2025, when that deal is over with EA.

Not likely though, unfortunately.

[speedy9386]

Quote: Originally Posted by TecmoZack

This is most excellent Now how long do we wait to see clarification on"sim" and what this game will be?

The term most excellent made me lol. Like a surfer dude or something.

[Rocky]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve_OS

It's going to be some sort of NFL 2K Playgrounds game or something very similar. Since EA has the exclusive rights to "simulation football" there's no way 2K will make anything close to a sim. It's arcade or nothing at this point and maybe the NFL doesn't go exclusive in 2025, when that deal is over with EA. Not likely though, unfortunately.

In the press release it does say that they're working on "multiple" football games. I completely agree that one of them will definitely be a NFL Playgrounds type of game but what could the other(s) one be?

It's completely possible that the other game could be a mobile, card like type of game which is obviously not what most of us here want.

I guess we'll all find out soon enough.

[canes21]

Quote: Originally Posted by illwill10

Main question now is what does "non-simulation" mean? Since they said more info will be revealed at later deal, I expect to hear more info on games starting end of this year to early next year. Going slightly off-topic, seeing the OneTeam helped facilitate licensing deal, I wonder if they could help facilitate a NIL licensing deal for college athletes for a potential return of NCAA sports titles if NCAA lightens up and allows group licensing in NIL bill.

I don't think it was OneTeam that was mentioned, but one article I was reading about the group licensing mentioned that there is one group out there that is ready right now if the NIL rulings lead to group licensing being allowed.



I'll look for the article, but I thought it was called something Rep.