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OS Roundtable: EAs Exclusive NFL License

12:52 PM - February 27, 2008 by RaychelSnr

Operation Sports staff members Chris Sanner, TJ Cutini, Chase Becotte, and Patrick Williams all check in this week with a four-way roundtable discussing the exclusive NFL license EA Sports just locked up until 2013.

Quote:


	"Word came a couple of weeks ago that the NFL and EA Sports were going to extend their exclusive agreement until at least 2013. It can certainly be argued the deal has been bad for the industry - putting the up and coming NFL 2K series on the chopping block. But has the deal even been good for EA Sports? Operation Sport's roundtable will discuss."

Game: Madden NFL 08Reader Score: 5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: NDS / Wii / PC / PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Xbox / Xbox 360Votes for game: 51 - View All

Member Comments

# 21 adriano @ 02/28/08 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingFinn


	This is probably one of things that grinds my gears the most. I remember when exclusitivity was first announced, EA stated it would be a good thing because they would have access to things they never had before with NFL so the game would definitely benefit. Based on the past 3 interations of next-gen Madden, the license was purchased only to eliminate competition. Although the NFL put the license up for sale , I bet if EA didn't pony up so much cash, the NFL would have withdrew the NFL exclusive proposal because it could have made more money by not being exclusive.

After 2k3 EA started heavily selling the NFL on exclusivity. The NFL didnt listen until they saw their brand selling for 19.99. That gave EA bargaining power and we all know what happens next..

EA tries to spin it as is the NFL wanted this all along, they did after years of EA making them offers for exclusivity..EA Promised them so much Money and a Guarantee that their name brand would not be sold at a discount.. The NFL is very image conscious

# 22 unfriendlyghst @ 02/28/08 07:03 PM

Yes, this is very sad. The whole idea of exclusivity has become complete garbage. The Madden hate war wagon wont stop until they start to fix things. And I am personally tired of all these people telling us to keep our mouths shut. Last time I checked, this is the US(or at least the internet), not China. There is, I think, a stark difference between being a true fan of Madden, and a "blind sheep". This pot has been boiling over for years and the arguments never seem to change. "Not enough features", "Lousy gameplay", "Terrible glitches", "No commentary", and the absolute worst "No ESPN integration". That last one my friends is the most absolute example of laziness that I have ever seen. That fact that ESPN NFL2k5 had this, with the halftime show, weekly sportscenter, and the "25 year anniversary Challenge" in 2004, on a lesser console is INDEFFENSABLE. It has been 4 years, and an entirely upgaded set of consoles, and what does EA have to show for it? Something needs to give because 4 years is a long time to ask football gamers to be patient. Espescially when we are being duped year after year. You know what, if you weren't ready to release the absolute best game possible, then make us wait a year or 2 until you get it right. It beats getting suckered every year with no end in sight.

Thats all.

# 23 Rufus @ 03/04/08 06:45 PM

[quote=unfriendlyghst;2038177335]Yes, this is very sad. The whole idea of exclusivity has become complete garbage. The Madden hate war wagon wont stop until they start to fix things. And I am personally tired of all these people telling us to keep our mouths shut. Last time I checked, this is the US(or at least the internet), not China. There is, I think, a stark difference between being a true fan of Madden, and a "blind sheep". This pot has been boiling over for years and the arguments never seem to change. "Not enough features", "Lousy gameplay", "Terrible glitches", "No commentary", and the absolute worst "No ESPN integration". That last one my friends is the most absolute example of laziness that I have ever seen. That fact that ESPN NFL2k5 had this, with the halftime show, weekly sportscenter, and the "25 year anniversary Challenge" in 2004, on a lesser console is INDEFFENSABLE. It has been 4 years, and an entirely upgaded set of consoles, and what does EA have to show for it? Something needs to give because 4 years is a long time to ask football gamers to be patient. Espescially when we are being duped year after year. You know what, if you weren't ready to release the absolute best game possible, then make us wait a year or 2 until you get it right. It beats getting suckered every year with no end in sight.

Thats all.[/QU

I totally agree with you, Next Gen football has been really disappointing, Im talking Madden and NCAA on the 360, I havent purchased one copy of either since I purchased my 360 a few months after launch. I have rented them every year, just to try them out, no purchase for me. I keep waiting to see what happens every year, and they just cant get next gen right, and I prefer playing last gen versions. I'm still waiting to play a next gen football game on my 360.

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