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

# 121 cgalligan @ 02/15/11 08:47 AM

people are just going off of what they know. M05 was the pinacal. And its been bad ever since with little to no improvements every year.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 2,3,4,5,6,7 times, shame me

# 122 RJTurneR @ 02/15/11 08:49 AM

Quote:


	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.

This I agree with. I can understand people are fed up, and I can understand why people are fed up. At the end of the day though, it is just a video game. Ok, it's the only NFL game out there, and people use it to get there football fix. I know I do. But right now, there is a possibility that we could end up with no football.

I would rather have Madden if there is going to be no NFL, than just have nothing.

This year will be great for games anyway.

# 123 johnprestonevans @ 02/15/11 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr janny


	Does competition really inspire change? Look at other gaming franchises. There are tons of options out there in the FPS genre, yet the top dog is Call of Duty, a series that has changed very little from year to year. There's a whole lot of speculation going on in this thread, but most of it is ill informed hyperbole.

Respectfully, I disagree. The difference between Madden and Call of Duty is that COD is doing everything right. Their product is at the top of their game at the moment. It's like being Madden 04/05 and not like Madden 11. Call of Duty offers an experience that no other FPS game can quite can match. And there IS competition in the FPS market. Tons of it. I personally like Battlefield Bad Company 2 better than COD, but that's the point - there is competition and choice. I loved being able to choose between 2 great games in Madden 05 and NFL2K5. But the fact that this series continues to ignore its glaring problems in favor of marketable gimmicks and back-of-the-box features makes it plum for the picking.

# 124 videlsports @ 02/15/11 09:10 AM

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.

I love this post .. Credit goes to this guy:
johnprestonevans******** type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_2042122522", true);

# 125 Mos1ted @ 02/15/11 09:24 AM

When I initially came to this site this morning, the shock and awe of being greeting with the exclusivity extension news lasting for about 3 seconds...in real time. At the end of all, I'm really not that upset about it either. To be honest, I'm more upset with 2K for not having a football game (grant it, an unlicensed one) to attempt to grab some of the football gaming market share. The more I watch X's and O's segments on shows such as NFL Live (ESPN) or AFC/NFC Playbook (NFL Network), the more I get upset that no football game currently on the market has made any attempt to replicate the nuances of strategy that go into football. Basketball is my favorite sport to play in real life, but it's a really simple game, and that translates in the video game market (hence the easiness to cheese). Football on the other hand is a very complex game, but that's not really represented in the video game segment. After all, the NFL license is just that, a license. Take away the logos and players and what do you have in Madden? Just another football game.

2K's "We don't want to upset the NFL by making a game using NFL rules and structure" stance just blew up in their face. Obviously, you can see where the NFL's loyalty really lies. So if I'm 2K, I say bump it, and at least try to compete either in the college football market or the generic market. Either way, you're still offering gamers something different which is what many of us want right now.

# 126 RJTurneR @ 02/15/11 09:28 AM

Quote:


	The difference between Madden and Call of Duty is that COD is doing everything right.

And wrong.. Just look in depth.

Quote:


	Call of Duty offers an experience that no other FPS game can quite can match.

Introducing.. Call of Duty: Black Ops! There is no other game that makes you feel like your in the heat of battle.. Where everyone uses an AK74 w/Grip and Rapid Fire, and hides away in a corner using Ghost. Bullets are a thing of the past! Noob tubing is the future! Get your copy today!

Yeah.. it offers an experience like no over alright.. a experience that will raise peoples blood pressure and turn them into anti-social hermits.

CoD had a huge head start. A big reason why it sells so well. People find ways to exploit the game and make it to easy.. and annoying, and anything thats easy will sell better in the gaming world. Everyone knows about the way people exploit the AK74. That sets of a trend.. and ruins the game for us who play fairly.

CoD is just as bad as Madden. Ways to unfairly exploit your opponent, glitches, bugs, the AK74 is the unfair money plays of Madden.. and then there's lag.

From an in depth perspective both fail. Which asks the question.. Do EA really put a lot of effort into Madden, but it just doesn't succeed?

EA are building on a game engine that dates back a long way. Tons and tons of code. Which can cause bugs and what not. We are just seeing this type of thing in CoD, which makes me think that is this really EA's fault?

# 127 JMD @ 02/15/11 09:37 AM

I think I'm going to be done with Madden, any new Madden games that is. I started buying Madden games with Madden 06 on the 360 and have bought the game each year since then. The game has improved over the years , but the past 3 Madden games 09, 10 , and 11 show very little improvement. I actually feel Madden 10 is the best of the bunch, if not for the foolish jerking of the players when they break out in the open , I'd have no issue with the game. I'm just going to stick with the Madden games I now have and also NFL 2k5, and wait for the next generation of consoles to come along and see what video game football brings. Madden 12 is going to have to be something really special for me to buy it, I can't see myself paying $60.00 just for a roster update again this year.

# 128 RGiles36 @ 02/15/11 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baumy300


	I guess I frankly don't know what to do anymore. *The NFL itself is driving fans away like crazy and Madden is strongly following suit.*

Is that a fact? Everything I've heard/read lately indicates that the NFL brand is more popular than it has ever been.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnprestonevans


	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.

I can't disagree with you here. For the sports games that I play, Madden has had thee most repetitive commentary and underwhelming presentation. They've said they're addressing these areas (well presentation at least), but I've heard that rhetoric since the marketing of M09. Show me!

---------------------

Aside from that, I think people put too much stock into competition and its effect on the quality of Madden. I know that's an unpopular opinion around these parts, but oh well. Competition hasn't yielded positive results for EA's NBA franchise. And two years ago, MLB2K STUNK in comparison to The Show (maybe it has improved since then -- I don't play it hardly).

Here's the bottom line for me: the NFL agreed to an extension of the exclusive license on the heels of Madden 08. Yes, Madden 08 -- arguably the worst NFL videogame of all time. That told me then that $$$ was the motivation...not the quality of the game. Since then, I just can't see another NFL game being made for quite some time. Like one of the articles alluded to, clearly there is a good business relationship between EA & the NFL. A couple hundred disgruntled fans on an internet forum(s) pose little threat to that relationship.

I have to say I'm not as disapointed as many of you are. No doubt I have my gripes with the current game. But I've played the last two Maddens quite a bit and I feel the arrow is pointing up.

# 129 johnprestonevans @ 02/15/11 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJTurneR


	And wrong.. Just look in depth. Introducing.. Call of Duty: Black Ops! There is no other game that makes you feel like your in the heat of battle.. Where everyone uses an AK74 w/Grip and Rapid Fire, and hides away in a corner using Ghost. Bullets are a thing of the past! Noob tubing is the future! Get your copy today! Yeah.. it offers an experience like no over alright.. a experience that will raise peoples blood pressure and turn them into anti-social hermits. CoD had a huge head start. A big reason why it sells so well. People find ways to exploit the game and make it to easy.. and annoying, and anything thats easy will sell better in the gaming world. Everyone knows about the way people exploit the AK74. That sets of a trend.. and ruins the game for us who play fairly. CoD is just as bad as Madden. Ways to unfairly exploit your opponent, glitches, bugs, the AK74 is the unfair money plays of Madden.. and then there's lag. From an in depth perspective both fail. Which asks the question.. Do EA really put a lot of effort into Madden, but it just doesn't succeed? EA are building on a game engine that dates back a long way. Tons and tons of code. Which can cause bugs and what not. We are just seeing this type of thing in CoD, which makes me think that is this really EA's fault?

I dont want to debate the overuse of certain guns in COD vs plays in Madden and the exploit some gamers use in both of these comparative games. My point is generally about the quality of the game itself. From a visual standpoint, tight shooting mechanics and from presentation - there aren't many games delivering online on the level and COD is doing right now. (Like I said I prefer BFBC2 over COD). And that really is my point - There are some other great shooters we can choose from. Killzone, Battlefield, Gears, Halo, Uncharted, etc. And which one of those you like best depends on your own personal experience and enjoyment of the game. My problem with Madden is that it is a lesser quality product when you lay it next to other sports games and it is the ONLY NFL game we've had the opportunity to play in the last 7 years.

# 130 Nab_Impervious_XII @ 02/15/11 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJTurneR


	And wrong.. Just look in depth. Introducing.. Call of Duty: Black Ops! There is no other game that makes you feel like your in the heat of battle.. Where everyone uses an AK74 w/Grip and Rapid Fire, and hides away in a corner using Ghost. Bullets are a thing of the past! Noob tubing is the future! Get your copy today! Yeah.. it offers an experience like no over alright.. a experience that will raise peoples blood pressure and turn them into anti-social hermits. CoD had a huge head start. A big reason why it sells so well. People find ways to exploit the game and make it to easy.. and annoying, and anything thats easy will sell better in the gaming world. Everyone knows about the way people exploit the AK74. That sets of a trend.. and ruins the game for us who play fairly. CoD is just as bad as Madden. Ways to unfairly exploit your opponent, glitches, bugs, the AK74 is the unfair money plays of Madden.. and then there's lag. From an in depth perspective both fail. Which asks the question.. Do EA really put a lot of effort into Madden, but it just doesn't succeed? EA are building on a game engine that dates back a long way. Tons and tons of code. Which can cause bugs and what not. We are just seeing this type of thing in CoD, which makes me think that is this really EA's fault?

All valid opinions. But the bottom point is that at least CoD is competing with 2-3 other shooters. So while people may hate CoD, the anger never quite reaches the levels that frequently arise when discussing Madden. People can simply find another "WWII/Current-War"-based product that satisfies their taste. There isn't an exclusive contract prohibiting games that base their plot on real-life events, so gamers aren't forced to play Modern Paintball Kitty Adventure to get their fix. Anger diffused.

# 131 sithlord06 @ 02/15/11 10:24 AM

Complete garbage, I hate EA, they want to keep the license because they are terrible with their games now, the quality is average at best. Non-competitive video gaming is bad for the customer.

# 132 greenegt @ 02/15/11 10:24 AM

Horrible. Competition is a GOOD thing.

# 133 Goffs @ 02/15/11 10:24 AM

i miss my 2k football but its one more year...i played 11 when my friend bought it over and i just really cant get into it...ugh..

so another year of no football wont kill me...besides there are so many other games coming out i dont think i will even notice...

# 134 jeremym480 @ 02/15/11 10:46 AM

A little competition is always a good thing. With that said, it's just an extra year (for now anyway

) so not really a big deal, IMO.

# 135 daniverson1973 @ 02/15/11 11:01 AM

2 perspectives on this:

1) its a sound business decision for both parties involved-for obvious reasons
2) i agree with most all the other posters, no competition for pro football gaming hurts for obvious reasons (EA can just kick back)

i can only hope that in 2014 we'll have choices we as customers can make on our own, like we can in every other freaking sport for video games

THIS SUCKS!

# 136 daniverson1973 @ 02/15/11 11:15 AM

in addition to some lacking interest, what happens if the NFL officially has a "work stoppage"-as Goodell puts it...a 'strike' and what if there is little or no football season next year???

No real football decimates interest in videogame football

NFL made this decision because EA is giving them MILLIONS!!!! and NFL is revenue driven, as they should be

# 137 daniverson1973 @ 02/15/11 11:27 AM

well, its still a pretty dam good game, its just obvious that if EA had other developers competing against them, they'd probably work harder to put out an even better product

im disappointed with madden11, i expected there to be lots of improvement from M10

# 138 dickey1331 @ 02/15/11 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EddieV


	It's pretty telling when most people on even a Madden message board think this is a bad thing. Sad thing is, having to pay for the exclusive license is probably the number 1 reason why things like MUT and purchaseable scouting reports and other paid DLC are in the game. If EA didn't overpay millions for the exclusive license, maybe they could stick to things that 90% of the audience cares about (gameplay and graphics).

From my understanding UT is pretty popular.

Do you really care where I sent this from?

# 139 Cusefan @ 02/15/11 11:31 AM

I dont really want to spend a whole lot of time on this so here goes:

This whole Competition breeds Success Theory, lets look at some games

Baseball:

MLB The show: Great
MLB 2k:Crap

Basketball:
NBA 2K: Great
NBA Live/Elite: crap

Hockey:
NHL(EA): Geat
NHL 2k: Crap

Ok So that theory is pretty much bunk. Madden Does have to compete with non sports games though, saying otherwise is just silly. That is the sole reason for innovation, this is a new digitally informed world we live in, every day, less and less people pick a game based on the back of the case. So just having the NFL license and making a few changes will not cut it, if the message boards, review sites and mags do not like the game, that will effect how it sells. This is going to be a really good year for gaming so that may not bode well for Madden, some people can only afford a new game every few months and if Madden is in the dumps then they will save their money for Crysis 2 or LA Noire.

# 140 ryan36 @ 02/15/11 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baumy300


	I guess I frankly don't know what to do anymore. The NFL itself is driving fans away like crazy and Madden is strongly following suit.

This is just untrue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by everydaygorship


	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.

A) You can't know this, simply because you can't. B) 2k9 was not regarded as a great basketball game, the 2k baseball series is still underwhelming. So what you've done is say because 2k made one good basketball game this year, they'd make a great football game, while ignoring the baseball product (which is ALSO one they have semi-exclusive right to). So the closest 2k has gotten to an exclusive product IS NOT good. Your logic is flawed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUPA_MAN20021


	IM GOIN WIT VERUS AND GIDEON PRIME , I AINT BUYIN DIS BULLS** NO MORE EVA!!!*

Anyone ever wonder how they can make all their vids if they don't have the game? They HAVE to get the game , so that they can bolster they're e-cred.

Quote:

Originally Posted by turftickler


	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!

Most people don't demand more. Most people buy Madden.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afrikan


	also for those who are posting remember, do not cuss in your posts...or try to filter it with symbols. You will get moderated. IT'S NOT WORTH IT!

Don't filter it with symbols, you'll still get warned or banned. Just type the word out and let the filter catch it. And just because the filter didn't catch it doesn't mean it's okay to say it. We haven't programmed every offensive word you can think of in the filter.

Just don't swear/insult people. It will increase everyone's time on OS

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