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

# 101 Exonerated @ 02/15/11 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paytonsplace


	As long as "Crysis 2", "LA Noir", "Dragon Age 2", "Mass Effect 3", and "Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" are still coming out this year, I can say that I really don't care about what EA and the NFL do. I used to love football gaming but Madden has to compete with games in general and it comes up short. Now back to "Dragon Age: Awakening".

Crysis 2, Dragon 2, and Mass Effect 3 are EA games!

So you love EA!

# 102 Exonerated @ 02/15/11 01:42 AM

LONG LIVE THE KING!

# 103 TexasBorn1 @ 02/15/11 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exonerated


	Crysis 2, Dragon 2, and Mass Effect 3 are EA games! So you love EA!

Published by EA

Nothing to do with the making of them. EA isn't all bad its just some are not satisfied with what Madden has been for the last six years

# 104 kjcheezhead @ 02/15/11 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayman


	"Yes, Mr. Goodell, the people of Operation Sports would like you go forgo this very lucrative licensing agreement with EA that's basically free money for the NFL, and instead let other companies make games as well, because we just think it's a nice thing to do." If the NFL thought they could make more by having an open license, they'd have an open license. But at the end of the day they're a business, and like most businesses they'll do what's best for them and 99% of the time what's best for them is what makes them the most money.

The NFL makes its money off its fans. Mr. Goodell definitely should take notice. It may be the biggest league in all of sports but it can fall from glory. What's in the best interest of the NFL is keeping its fans happy.

The league is on a verge of a lockout with a major sticking point being how to gets its players to play 2 extra games without drastically increasing salaries. Then it tries to pack fans into a superbowl without enough seats or unacceptable seats priced at $900 or more a pop.

Not to mention how the NFL loves getting a Packer fan like me who lives out of state to spend hundreds of extra dollars every year to watch games other fans in other areas are picking up for free.

Finally, the NFL decides the company I have to buy my NFL gear from all the time getting free advertising while I sport this overpriced gear around town?

In return for all this, as a fan all I ask for is the ability to play a small variety of NFL football on the virtual gridiron and Mr. Goodell and co. gives us the finger and we are supposed to shrug and say "Can't blame them, it is good business"??!!

Screw this greedy league. I hope the lockout does happen. I hope the owners watch their stadiums sit empty for a year and I hope Madden 12 has to go gold without a single NFL player attaching their names to it.

Screwing the fans that pay to run the damn league in the first place is never a good business decision and it's long past time for the NFL to learn this fact of life.

# 105 adriano @ 02/15/11 02:59 AM

The NFL sees a work stoppage coming..This year could be a dead year,
so extending their license..is not a surprise..

If, or when the NFLPA disbands, I wonder what happens to their license?
Will the NFL own that too? So many questions...

# 106 dickey1331 @ 02/15/11 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adriano


	The NFL sees a work stoppage coming..This year could be a dead year, so extending their license..is not a surprise.. If, or when the NFLPA disbands, I wonder what happens to their license? Will the NFL own that too? So many questions...

From my understanding Madden 12 will have real players if they solve this issue or not. I think next year would start causing problems. Im not sure though. I could be wrong.

# 107 dickey1331 @ 02/15/11 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RememberMe12


	If the lockout happens, the NFLPA decertifies and therefore every player in the NFL would represent himself instead of the union (IE: not being in the game unless EA negotiates with every player in the league). If the new CBA isnt signed before the release of Madden 12, when it is signed Im sure that Madden would be able to release a roster update with all of the players names in the game after they negotiated a price for the likenesses. Anyways, I love the whole argument, "Well, if EA made a perfect game, nobody would buy it the next year." Ever take a look at MLB: The Show? Usually the finished product is as close to perfect as you can get, and yet people still buy it every year. Im upset at this whole extension, but instead of $60 spent on Madden 12 I am perfectly content with the $1 price on a copy of Madden 2005 and a download of the manifesto to keep me occupied.

Well MMChrisS said

Quote:


	EA has a signed agreement with the NFLPA through this year at least, so real players and teams will be in the game regardless of a lockout.

# 108 dickey1331 @ 02/15/11 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RememberMe12


	I would have to disagree though I could be wrong. If the NFLPA decertifies then there is no more NFLPA. The players are not apart of it anymore and EA has no rights to the players. EDIT: I guess the only way they could is if they have already paid the NFLPA for the use this year and the players are now contractually obligated to allow EA to use their likeness whether the NFLPA decertifies or not. Thats the only way I can see them getting around it.

Im guessing that is the case. They already have an agreement with them.

# 109 everydaygorship @ 02/15/11 03:47 AM

too bad. Hopefully EA can seriously improve all aspects of the game. After seeing what 2k did to the live series, I KNOW they would have the best NFL game ever.

# 110 Paytonsplace @ 02/15/11 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exonerated


	Crysis 2, Dragon 2, and Mass Effect 3 are EA games! So you love EA!

I love great games. If Madden was a great game then I'd be purchasing Madden. It isn't so I don't. EA gets my money when they deserve it.

Bioware is the developer for Dragon Age and Mass Effect. EA is the publisher. I support Bioware, they are doing a fantastic job at innovating and pioneering this genre of gaming.

# 111 trifelife @ 02/15/11 04:44 AM

I express my displeasure in the only way that matters. I don't buy NFL merchandise, I only watch the NFL on free TV, and I don't buy Madden ever. I'm one person but at least I know I'm not supporting this situation. Many will express their displeasure and still make Madden a day one purchase.

# 112 Dazraz @ 02/15/11 05:15 AM

I have no doubt that with the current instability within the NFL that those crafty sods at EA got the NFL to agree to a 1 year extension at a reduced price. You can't argue with their business acumen. I just wish that they put as much effort into making a good NFL game.

# 113 Bratwurst0711 @ 02/15/11 05:42 AM

R.I.P Videogame Football. A very sad day for all Gamers out there.

# 114 guaps @ 02/15/11 05:49 AM

\_/ my carecup is empty...

I just hope that Tiburon starts delivering - extended license or not. As mentioned by others, Madden is no longer a must-buy game for me now, it competes with other games (not only other sports games, but also other genres) and the likelihood that I'm buying it becomes smaller with every year.

# 115 RJTurneR @ 02/15/11 07:27 AM

Dam, people need to calm down here. There are some of you really over reacting. How do we know that Madden 12 or 13 will be instant fails? How can we guarantee that 2K/Activision would of tried to make an NFL game?

Some of you guys are jumping to conclusions a bit too quickly here. We know very small details about Madden 12 yet the majority of people are bashing it already. We haven't seem anything or heard anything major about the game yet. I know Madden has a reputation of failing but give things a chance.

# 116 dickey1331 @ 02/15/11 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afrikan


	well we saw a small video clip of it....seems to be the same engine, with the same size player models. It shouldn't be too different from last year's version. That should be enough for some who were not satisfied from last year, to be jumping to conclusions now.....even more so when we have heard the same things from other forum posters before... it usually starts like this "just wait till there is info" then this "just wait till there are screen shots" then this "just wait till there is video footage" then this "just wait till there is a demo" "just wait till there is the final game" "just wait till there is a patch" you get the idea.

I just think it�s premature to bash a game that�s 6 months from release. We don�t know everything that will be in Madden 12. They could have reworked the entire franchise mode. We know they worked on it at least. You just gotta stay positive. I think if any year will be great then this is the year.

# 117 johnprestonevans @ 02/15/11 08:33 AM

I don't think I can express just how disapointed and angry I am this morning. I hate that the executives inking these exclusive deals have NO idea how ho-hum the Madden games have become. Do they even care about quality? No. It's a business and I guess this deal is good for EA and the NFL. But that's where it stops. This is not good for us: the consumer. A lack of competition is the reason this series continues to tread water instead of pushing ahead.

I love NFL Football and I'm frustrated that I have to endure $#!&y commentary, broken AI and the worst presentation in sports gaming for another 3 years (at least). This news effectively means that this generation of consoles is a write-off for great NFL games. Sad day.

# 118 Jackdog @ 02/15/11 08:34 AM

Quick reminder. This isn't IGN. You will be banned if you cant follow the TOS. You have a point? Make it in a constructive adult manner.

# 119 turftickler @ 02/15/11 08:36 AM

This is truly a sad day in video game football history. This cuts deeper than when ESPN NFL 2k6 was snatched out of my hands.

This cut me deep and I'm sure others feel the same way. This is not good news for simulation video game football fans. We deserve and demand more out of this. TheSimStandard is in effect!

# 120 johnprestonevans @ 02/15/11 08:41 AM

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.

Bang on here. The presentation is embarrassingly poor despite owning the rights to NFL and ESPN. The half-hearted attempt with the "Extra Point" is disgusting when set next to 2K5's SportCenter. No hightlights. No stories. Nothing dynamic nor presented the way you see it on TV. I just keep envisioning these guys sitting around counting their money and saying "nah, why should be introduce real physics? Why bother re-booting the presentation? Lets spend a few hours to program surprise onside kicks." ugh.

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