Madden 2010 News Post

NFL Antitrust: What it Means for the Sports Video Game Industry

10:27 AM - April 13, 2009 by RaychelSnr

EA’s exclusive NFL license agreement could potentially be in jeopardy if apparel manufacturer American Needle Inc. has their way. Sure, it seems odd that something that has nothing to do with video games could affect them in such a large way, but it is true.

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# 1 SageInfinite @ 04/13/09 10:37 AM

I like the fact that there could be more NFL games on the market. What I don't like is that each team could end up possibly not in the game. Good article.

# 2 ScoobySnax @ 04/13/09 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmay


	Ditto. Even if I have to put up with teams missing. I'd be willing to play an NFL game with 12 teams if it meant I could play NFL 2kx

Sorry, but I HAVE to have all 32 teams.

The thing I hate about the NFL are the deals with the broadcasting. People pay 75-150 dollars/month on cable and cannot even get the channels that should be somewhat of a standard (NFL Network) and Sunday ticket should be available to all companies. They'd rake in alot more cash that way. That's the whole purpose right?

# 3 SageInfinite @ 04/13/09 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxplosive1984


	Sorry, but I HAVE to have all 32 teams.

Same here. There's no reason we shouldn't have a game with all the NFL teams and players in this day and age.

Also, of course I'd be open to NFL2K**, but given the current performance of the 2k titles, I wouldn't be ready to jump for joy. I'm just happy to see EA getting back on track, because right now that's all we have.

Also I wonder how this would effect the NCAA football license? Would they have to give up the exclusive rights as well?

# 4 DubTrey1 @ 04/13/09 12:05 PM

As much as I wold love more NFL games available to us the consumer, I would definately not like a game with teams missing. However, in the same vain - If the only option is one game with all teams that is subpar, then I would not buy it anyway.... Seems like a lose lose situation in that regard.

# 5 J-Unit40 @ 04/13/09 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeler99


	Without ALL 32 teams, I wouldn't pay $1 for it .... what's the point? I'm a franchise player so all teams are required.

Exactly. What would be the point without all 32 teams?

# 6 CreatineKasey @ 04/13/09 12:29 PM

^^^

LOL at poster above me! (Edit: I was talking about 2krules' post about not liking half the teams)

Yes, I'd be overjoyed if this took the exclusive license away from video games. I want heavy competition everywhere. I want 4 football games to choose from. I want 3 baseball games to choose from... I want OPTIONS! I'd rather argue about which game is better than argue what goes into the single option.

# 7 thudias @ 04/13/09 12:31 PM

This is the only thing i disagree with

"With the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement up for negotiation this year, this would be an ideal time to restructure the NFL Properties and licensing deals amongst the 32 league owners." This is not the ideal time for owners to has out there differences with each other.

First and foremost they need to work out a deal with the players union. All other matters need to be tabled for future discussions NFL and NFLPA CBA is the number 1 issue today and should not be combined with any other issues.

There is no tie in between these two issues they are seperate and should be treated separately.

# 8 ngoulding @ 04/13/09 12:32 PM

One thing to note is what happens if Goodell follows throughwith his plan to expand globally. This case is almost certain to fail but in the EU its a different story. If the NFL expanded to include teams in London, Berlin and Amsterdam for instance the EU commission would likely come down very hard on EA for its anti-competitive practises. For anyone who doubts the far stricter approach in Europe just ask Microsoft.

# 9 tonnyrat @ 04/13/09 12:40 PM

Those of you who are complaining about missing teams, what if the games came out with an editor similar to the one found in Winning Eleven.

The English Premier League has an exclusive deal with EA, Konami only has the ability to license 2 English clubs per game. They counteract that by offering an in-depth editor which allows us (the community) to fix/add the missing teams. It isn't like the game will ship with less than 32 teams. The non-licensed teams will have identifiable names and colors. With Winning Eleven, it usually takes a week for someone to release a fully updated file.

Imagine, with a 2K Share-like system, both EA and 2K sports would be able to offer incomplete products (a worst case scenario) where the end user could potentially 'fix' the official team names and uniforms.

Keep in mind that the game would need the NFLPA license for the players. WE has real players on fake teams mimmicing their real-life counterparts. This means a lot less work for us since players can be modeled correctly. The only thing missing is a few logos, color scheme and team name. Only issue here is the stadium, but I think we can live with that.

# 10 Cryolemon @ 04/13/09 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonnyrat


	Those of you who are complaining about missing teams, what if the games came out with an editor similar to the one found in Winning Eleven. The English Premier League has an exclusive deal with EA, Konami only has the ability to license 2 English clubs per game. They counteract that by offering an in-depth editor which allows us (the community) to fix/add the missing teams. It isn't like the game will ship with less than 32 teams. The non-licensed teams will have identifiable names and colors. With Winning Eleven, it usually takes a week for someone to release a fully updated file. Imagine, with a 2K Share-like system, both EA and 2K sports would be able to offer incomplete products (a worst case scenario) where the end user could potentially 'fix' the official team names and uniforms. Keep in mind that the game would need the NFLPA license for the players. WE has real players on fake teams mimmicing their real-life counterparts. This means a lot less work for us since players can be modeled correctly. The only thing missing is a few logos, color scheme and team name. Only issue here is the stadium, but I think we can live with that.

Exactly. That's exactly how it would work. Which, while not ideal, is a good idea.

# 11 sportzbro @ 04/13/09 12:49 PM

Interesting article, but a game without all the teams would suck

# 12 djordan @ 04/13/09 12:57 PM

You guys may like the idea but there are more casual fans out there.

They wouldn't buy the game knowing there is only half the teams available.

Think outside the box lol

# 13 tonnyrat @ 04/13/09 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordan


	You guys may like the idea but there are more casual fans out there. They wouldn't buy the game knowing there is only half the teams available. Think outside the box lol

Winning Eleven sells pretty well and they have a bunch of non-licensed teams in the game...

Given the existence of 4 major English clubs, 2 are left out (in other words: UNLICENSED) every year. That means instead of having Chelsea and their official uniform, you have a team called East London Blue. The team isn't MISSING, it is unlicensed. It exists. The players on the team are the real players in real life. The formation and tactics they use are based off of the real team.

Instead of having the NY Jets, you could have the NY Planes. A team with a generic green/white color scheme as a uniform. You would still have the real players though.

An editor could remedy this problem. Like I said, Winning Eleven hasn't had problems with casual fans.

# 14 Cryolemon @ 04/13/09 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordan


	You guys may like the idea but there are more casual fans out there. They wouldn't buy the game knowing there is only half the teams available. Think outside the box lol

You telling me that Winning Eleven has no casual soccer fans buy it lol? No one is saying make a game with only 16 teams. They are saying make the other 16 generic and let people edit them. IIRC this doesn't effect the players association license necessarily, so they'd even have the players, just not the team logo, full name or stadium.

# 15 roadman @ 04/13/09 01:27 PM

Isssh.

I received an headache just reading all that.

I like more games on the market, but not at the expense of editing teams names, players, jerseys, socks, cleats, and headgear.

I just don't have time for all that.

I wouldn't buy football games anymore.

# 16 elgreazy1 @ 04/13/09 01:58 PM

This is an ongoing situation I've been following for quite some time.

Yes, I'm more of a fan of 2K football games, but that's not to say I'm a "fanboy". Simply put, I will buy & play the BEST TITLE for a sports game, whether that be Madden, Blitz, APF, Back Breaker, Tecmo, etc. For EA to buy up exclusive licensing in the manner in which they did (NFL, AFL, NCAA football & ESPN) goes to show how desperate they were to monopolize & put a strangle-hold on the football gaming market. Instead of showing up to play, they took the ball home & locked the gates up to the field.

When there is no competition, there is no strive for excellence. In this case of football gaming, we, as fans, lose because there is no competition. The next-gen Madden titles have been under-whelming to say the least, and I believe it's simply because they've had no reason to work hard anymore.

# 17 buzzguy @ 04/13/09 02:10 PM

Some of you guys are spoiled! I remember the dark days of sports gaming (early 90's) when we were lucky to get either: A) real players or B) real teams. Not both!
Ha! You kids these days!

# 18 coogrfan @ 04/13/09 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgreazy1


	This is an ongoing situation I've been following for quite some time. Yes, I'm more of a fan of 2K football games, but that's not to say I'm a "fanboy". Simply put, I will buy & play the BEST TITLE for a sports game, whether that be Madden, Blitz, APF, Back Breaker, Tecmo, etc. For EA to buy up exclusive licensing in the manner in which they did (NFL, AFL, NCAA football & ESPN) goes to show how desperate they were to monopolize & put a strangle-hold on the football gaming market. Instead of showing up to play, they took the ball home & locked the gates up to the field. When there is no competition, there is no strive for excellence. In this case of football gaming, we, as fans, lose because there is no competition. The next-gen Madden titles have been under-whelming to say the least, and I believe it's simply because they've had no reason to work hard anymore.

So because you're unhappy with the state of football video games, you would be in favor of a Supreme Court ruling that would effectively tell sports leagues that they do not have the right to market their intellectual property rights as they see fit?

You guys really need to think about the larger ramifications of a win by American Needle. There's a lot more at stake here than just NFL 2k__.

# 19 noplace @ 04/13/09 02:18 PM

I hope this happens. I have not been able to enjoy football gaming since 2k5. EA can still do what they do but let 2ksports & others into the market. Its not like many EA fans are going to switch up anyway, regardless of what EA puts out they will buy it.

# 20 XtremeDunkz @ 04/13/09 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgreazy1


	This is an ongoing situation I've been following for quite some time. Yes, I'm more of a fan of 2K football games, but that's not to say I'm a "fanboy". Simply put, I will buy & play the BEST TITLE for a sports game, whether that be Madden, Blitz, APF, Back Breaker, Tecmo, etc. For EA to buy up exclusive licensing in the manner in which they did (NFL, AFL, NCAA football & ESPN) goes to show how desperate they were to monopolize & put a strangle-hold on the football gaming market. Instead of showing up to play, they took the ball home & locked the gates up to the field. When there is no competition, there is no strive for excellence. In this case of football gaming, we, as fans, lose because there is no competition. The next-gen Madden titles have been under-whelming to say the least, and I believe it's simply because they've had no reason to work hard anymore.

so much wrong with this argument but I refuse to beat the dead horse.

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