Madden 12 News Post

EA/NFL Extend NFL Exclusive License by One Year to 2013

07:10 PM - February 14, 2011 by RaychelSnr

The Sports Business Journal is reporting that the NFL and EA have come to terms on extending the current exclusive deal one more year with the uncertainty surrounding the 2011 NFL Season.

Quote:


	"The NFL has restructured its lucrative licensing and sponsorship contract with Electronic Arts to account for the sport�s uncertain future, significantly reducing the video game maker�s contractual obligations next season but adding a year to the deal, according to several well-placed sources. The contract now runs through 2013. The league is believed to have so far rebuffed pleas for fee reductions from other licensees and sponsors, many of which, like EA, find it difficult planning for the next season under the threat of a work stoppage. The league�s collective-bargaining agreement with the players expires March 4, and the two sides are far apart on reaching a deal. EA, however, is a special case, with its iconic �Madden� video game title. The licensing deal it agreed to with the league in early 2008 is believed to be worth well into nine figures in guarantees and royalties over its original five-year term. That stands as one of the most, if not the most lucrative non-TV contract the NFL enjoys. The NFL Players Association, which signed a companion EA deal for rights to the players, reaps regularly between $30 million and $40 million annually, according to the union�s annual filings with the Labor Department. The league deal allows EA to use team colors, names and logos."

This basically means that EA has exclusive rights to Madden now until after Madden NFL 14 -- or roughly right about the time the next generation of consoles are set to hit.

This just shows how strong of business partners the NFL and EA Sports are at this point. The NFL is giving EA a break on payments this year and has basically given them an additional year as a make-up of sorts to make right. Also, if you read my 2011 Predictions Post back in January, you saw this was my first prediction, that the deal would be extended in some way this year.

So in that respect, this news is not unexpected -- and with the deal stretching into the next console generation, I have serious doubts any other company is going to be in a position enter the market anytime soon due to the extreme cost of entry into quality sports game development that will be present at that time.

Thanks to Pasta Padre for the news tip.

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Member Comments

# 21 Gotmadskillzson @ 02/14/11 08:05 PM

I just don't care anymore.

# 22 LDUBBS28 @ 02/14/11 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotmadskillzson


	I just don't care anymore.

Same here bruh.

# 23 capn_razzamataz @ 02/14/11 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan36


	Wait, so your response to your anger about EA getting an exclusive which "hurts sports gaming" is for 2k to go exclusive in other sports? Wow.

I think he's just talking about pursuing an NCAA football license. Not necessarily the exclusive license.

My thoughts: Well this sucks. Yeah, it's "only" a year longer but I honestly don't have much confidence that EA's going to put out a football game that I like in that time span. One could also view it as an extra year to negotiate another extension.

Meh. I didn't but M11 this year and I'm still having fun with other football games. I think I'll survive.

# 24 pietasterp @ 02/14/11 08:09 PM

Called this back in 2004 - once the license went exclusive, it was never going to go back. It is a one-way street.

Completely wasted generation of football gaming. Probably wasted next gen as well. EA has largely dampened my enthusiasm for sports gaming over the past 7 years. Only plus side: I have rediscovered my passion for non-sports gaming, thanks largely to EA. Soon, there will be no reason for me to come here at all...

# 25 BlueNGold @ 02/14/11 08:09 PM

Who knows if 2K would have even bothered to try putting out an NFL game when the contract wasn't ending until 2013 anyways?

They might have already decided they'll just wait until the next systems come out to get back into football, assuming the contract doesn't get extended again.

As for Madden itself, yes I would prefer to have options as a consumer. I'm sure we all would. But IMO Madden is heading in the right direction. Whether they make the right decisions to get to where they need to be and where we want them to be is another thing, but I have faith that Madden 12 can be a good sim football game.

I remember thinking after NCAA 10 that that series was in the ****ter, only to be completely surprised by their 360 turn in one year with NCAA 11. I don't think it's out of the question that Madden can make that leap as well.

# 26 videlsports @ 02/14/11 08:13 PM

@ ryan you misunderstand me.. I want 2k to get the right to make college football, not be exclusive.. just to bid on a liscence not have a sole one LIke EA tried to monopolize both football markets.. I am hoping they wake up.. I'm not angry at all I boycotted madden for 4years straight, but enjoyed it on TV..( i would play an online game here or there but I did not own/ purchase a copy.. I just want all companies to make sports games..

# 27 ryan36 @ 02/14/11 08:16 PM

Just to be CLEAR It is ok to talk about the other companies as business entities.

DO NOT COMPARE THE GAMES/GAMEPLAY...or say one is better than the other

# 28 pietasterp @ 02/14/11 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	Who knows if 2K would have even bothered to try putting out an NFL game when the contract wasn't ending until 2013 anyways?

You're probably right, but it would've at least let someone else consider getting into the game, whether it be 2K or someone (anyone) else...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	They might have already decided they'll just wait until the next systems come out to get back into football, assuming the contract doesn't get extended again.

Probably not a very good assumption...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	I remember thinking after NCAA 10 that that series was in the ****ter, only to be completely surprised by their 360 turn in one year with NCAA 11. I don't think it's out of the question that Madden can make that leap as well.

Yes, but it took them 5+ years to get to that point...meaning they spent half a decade getting the game to a decent state, whilst pissing away the other years with steaming piles. At this point, it wouldn't even matter if Madden made a huge leap...I won't be there to find out. After all, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie....

# 29 SHAKYR @ 02/14/11 08:22 PM

Noooooooo! This guys really hate competition, they scared. It's sad!

# 30 jjdogjjdog5162 @ 02/14/11 08:22 PM

Welp, maybe in 2014 i'll buy a NFL game. If the world is even here then....

# 31 BlueNGold @ 02/14/11 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pietasterp


	Yes, but it took them 5+ years to get to that point...meaning they spent half a decade getting the game to a decent state, whilst pissing away the other years with steaming piles. At this point, it wouldn't even matter if Madden made a huge leap...I won't be there to find out. After all, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie....

Sure it has, but they've only been going forward with this direction for 2 years. With that in mind, the progress has been pretty decent IMO.

Don't get me wrong, the game still isn't where I want it to be. I want a hell of a lot better offline franchise mode that doesn't fail to compare to even the PSP version of Madden 07's franchise, and I want better AI, presentation, true 3-4 defenses, etc, but I'm not forgetting that every aspect of the game they've tried to improve over the last 2 years has had a sim focus in mind either.

# 32 HARTSTOPPER @ 02/14/11 08:26 PM

This is sad. With no competition there is no reason to drastically improve the game. There is no one upping "the other guys." I am not Pro EA or Pro 2K. I am simply just a sports gamer looking for the best product for $60. If there is no competition there is no pressure to put out a better product. I know Ian and the guys are trying to do right by the fans, but nothing is stopping them from just saying forget about it, and dropping the same game with updated rosters.

From a marketing standpoint, I can see why they don't put out the "perfect" product. If they do that, there will be no need to purchase the next years installment, but I can assure you that this exclusive contract has SIGNIFICANTLY slowed production down. Think back to how amazing both NFL 2K5 and Madden 2005 both were. Now fast forward to Madden 2011 and EA has exclusive rights to the NFL AND ESPN. Still no half time show, still no ESPN integration other than ESPN radio, still no post game show. There is just nothing that resembles ESPN in EA's BIGGEST money maker and that is dissapointing. Even the small amount of ESPN presentation added ALOT to the way NCAA 11 was received. NCAA Football has now surpassed Madden in many eyes because they seem to use the tools given to give the fans what they want.

# 33 NoTiCe_O @ 02/14/11 08:27 PM

What can we Do ? Hmph ..

Spoiler

# 34 TexasBorn1 @ 02/14/11 08:29 PM

I waited this long

An extra year won't hurt too much!

# 35 pietasterp @ 02/14/11 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueNGold


	Sure it has, but they've only been going forward with this direction for 2 years. With that in mind, the progress has been pretty decent IMO. Don't get me wrong, the game still isn't where I want it to be. I want a hell of a lot better offline franchise mode that doesn't fail to compare to even the PSP version of Madden 07's franchise, and I want better AI, presentation, true 3-4 defenses, etc, but I'm not forgetting that every aspect of the game they've tried to improve over the last 2 years has had a sim focus in mind either.

I see what you're saying Blue, and respect your optimism. After all, I would rather be wrong and have a great game of football by this generation's end than be right and have nothing much to show for it...I just fear that the fantastic heights of football gaming reached in 2004 will not be repeated in the forseeable future, and that makes me disappointed and more than anything, I guess just sad...

# 36 Hooe @ 02/14/11 08:31 PM

Not surprised, really.

# 37 BlueNGold @ 02/14/11 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMG_HART


	This is sad. With no competition there is no reason to drastically improve the game. There is no one upping "the other guys." I am not Pro EA or Pro 2K. I am simply just a sports gamer looking for the best product for $60. If there is no competition there is no pressure to put out a better product. I know Ian and the guys are trying to do right by the fans, but nothing is stopping them from just saying forget about it, and dropping the same game with updated rosters. From a marketing standpoint, I can see why they don't put out the "perfect" product. If they do that, there will be no need to purchase the next years installment, but I can assure you that this exclusive contract has SIGNIFICANTLY slowed production down. Think back to how amazing both NFL 2K5 and Madden 2005 both were. Now fast forward to Madden 2011 and EA has exclusive rights to the NFL AND ESPN. Still no half time show, still no ESPN integration other than ESPN radio, still no post game show. There is just nothing that resembles ESPN in EA's BIGGEST money maker and that is dissapointing. Even the small amount of ESPN presentation added ALOT to the way NCAA 11 was received. NCAA Football has now surpassed Madden in many eyes because they seem to use the tools given to give the fans what they want.

I probably should read the rest of your post before responding, but I stopped at the first paragraph.

There's plenty of reason for them to try to make a good game. Maybe without competition they won't be as innovative as they could be or would take chances that they normally would with another company in the rear view mirror, but the game still needs to sell and keep consumers happy. If they were to continually not give a **** and put out an NBA Elite-style product, they'd run the risk of losing a lot of money and the license, so to say they have no reason to make a good game is false.

# 38 videlsports @ 02/14/11 08:33 PM

@ this point.. wow why bother...

I agree with Notice_ O ..

I will just boycott longer.

# 39 NikeBlitz @ 02/14/11 08:36 PM

Sad day for football fans ...

# 40 Flightwhite24 @ 02/14/11 08:39 PM

It is what it is. For those who don't like it, simply don't buy it. Personally I would like other companies making football games but it's not happening and I'm ok with that also.

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