Madden NFL 25 News Post

EA Sports and the NFL "Still Have a Number of Years" on License

06:31 PM - January 28, 2014 by Steve_OS

Andrew Wilson told investors in EA's Q3 2014 earnings conference call that, "EA Sports and the NFL have a partnership for a number of more years," adding, "we have a number of games in development with the NFL."

Peter Moore also talked about the NFL license and said all the "rumors" are false, the license hasn't expired.

The big question is what the terms of the licensing deal are at this point, whether it is an exclusive deal or not, and how many years the current deal runs for. There's no indication the exclusive terms have ended, and given the NFL's typical approach to sign exclusive deals with partners -- there really is no reason to think that the terms have changed too much.

EA COO Peter Moore, on Twitter, declined to comment on specifics of the license deal. The last time the license came around EA didn't release details, but rather it was sourced by 'well placed sources.' Thus, while it stinks we don't know exact specifics of the deal, this does play into how EA has handled things with the NFL license in the past couple of years.

Most likely a renewal or extension was signed that features platform specific exclusivity, although that is just speculation on my part with no fact-based information to back that up other than the history of the license and EA/NFL's relationship.

We'll be keeping an eye on things and will continue to update this post as any new info emerges.

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Member Comments

# 41 roadman @ 01/30/14 01:25 PM

I know in my mind more competition is better, but I take a look at the sports video landscape today, and ask, is more better?

Why?

How many multiple sports games are out there currently?

There is 1 baseball game, and one in the works no one knows about. There is one hockey game and barely 2 basketball games.

Is there enough interest out there to support multiple sports games?

Seems like one sports game obliterates the competition and the other games don't have a leg to stand on and are no longer in business.

# 42 King_B_Mack @ 01/30/14 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I know in my mind more competition is better, but I take a look at the sports video landscape today, and ask, is more better? Why? How many multiple sports games are out there currently? There is 1 baseball game, and one in the works no one knows about. There is one hockey game and barely 2 basketball games. Is there enough interest out there to support multiple sports games? Seems like one sports game obliterates the competition and the other games don't have a leg to stand on and are no longer in business.

Yes, there is interest out there to support multiple sports games. What there isn't interest in is supporting some of the half efforts we've gotten from sports franchises in the previous generations when it was cheaper to develop the games. For example college basketball. There is no way anyone can convince me that there isn't enough interest in college basketball to have a single game on shelves in four years. These companies haven't done nearly enough to try to grow the markets for any of these games besides for FIFA and Madden. 2K did nothing to grow the market for college basketball. How many times do you see ads for NBA 2K? When do you ever recall seeing College Hoops 2K commercials or print ads? Putting out a game, advertising for about maybe the first two weeks of the game's release and then doing no other promotion after that is some of the worst developer support you'll see.

# 43 roadman @ 01/30/14 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBuddyHobbs


	I cannot believe people are actually questioning are more choices better. I just... Really?...

You must have glanced over what I wrote, I said, I know that competition is better. I just... Really?

I'm looking at what's out there right now, not 10 years ago.

There isn't much competition in the other video sports gaming genre's.

# 44 kjcheezhead @ 01/30/14 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I know in my mind more competition is better, but I take a look at the sports video landscape today, and ask, is more better? Why? How many multiple sports games are out there currently? There is 1 baseball game, and one in the works no one knows about. There is one hockey game and barely 2 basketball games. Is there enough interest out there to support multiple sports games? Seems like one sports game obliterates the competition and the other games don't have a leg to stand on and are no longer in business.

All the more reason to hate this agreement. The sports gaming library is drying up more each year and the most popular sports league in America only promotes this situation. The market is there and companies have tried but fans want nfl teams and players.

Tecmo Throwback, All Pro Football and Backbreaker all failed at least partly because they weren't NFL games.

# 45 roadman @ 01/30/14 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	All the more reason to hate this agreement. The sports gaming library is drying up more each year and the most popular sports league in America only promotes this situation. The market is there and companies have tried but fans want nfl teams and players. Tecmo Throwback, All Pro Football and Backbreaker all failed at least partly because they weren't NFL games.

KJ, it's just not all about the agreement, though, either. Look at hockey, no exclusive. Sure, there was an exclusive for baseball, but a partial agreement and 2k has bowed out.

There used to be two golf games, now there is only one. No exclusives there.

Guess what I'm asking is, will the market support more than 2 sports games in one market.

Looking at things today, I don't think so. And I'm talking about 3 or 4 sports games the way is was with baseball and football from a decade ago or more.

# 46 roadman @ 01/30/14 02:22 PM

So, basically, exclusive or no exclusive, this current market isn't able to support 3 or more games like a decade or more ago.

And baseball did have a partial exclusive.

# 47 roadman @ 01/30/14 02:44 PM

Sim just posted this video in the Other section.

# 48 kjcheezhead @ 01/30/14 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	KJ, it's just not all about the agreement, though, either. Look at hockey, no exclusive. Sure, there was an exclusive for baseball, but a partial agreement and 2k has bowed out. There used to be two golf games, now there is only one. No exclusives there. Guess what I'm asking is, will the market support more than 2 sports games in one market. Looking at things today, I don't think so. And I'm talking about 3 or 4 sports games the way is was with baseball and football from a decade ago or more.

I believe 3 football games could be profitable right now. Madden and 2k could both sell at least a million copies and probably much more. I think an NFL tecmo psn game could do well too.

This is NFL football, the other major sports combined can't match it's fanbase. But NFL is the keyword.

# 49 roadman @ 01/30/14 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	I believe 3 football games could be profitable right now. Madden and 2k could both sell at least a million copies and probably much more. I think an NFL tecmo psn game could do well too.This is NFL football, the other major sports combined can't match it's fanbase. But NFL is the keyword.

I guess I'm not as optimistic as you are looking what we have out today. I just don't feel more than three can survive. The better one obliterates the the other two and there is only one again.

Back to square 1.

# 50 King_B_Mack @ 01/30/14 03:35 PM

I don't know about three or more like you're talking road, but two titles for each sport could certainly survive. You're mixing up your words or something. The market could sustain these games but the effort has to be there from the developers. Three NBA games could be on the market right now. 2K is "obliterating" the competition because of the competition's own ineptitude, not because the market can't sustain one or two more entries. The market can most certainly hold multiple games, but they need honest, full efforts from the game makers first.

# 51 roadman @ 01/30/14 03:50 PM

King, I'm not saying two couldn't survive.

All I'm saying I don't see any 3 or more sport video games out in the market like we did a decade or more ago.

To me, that tells me that market has changed.

What has been happening in the last decade, despite the competition, one game becomes more dominate and sells more than the others and after awhile, there is only one game left standing.

Take baseball for instance. The game is only made on one console now. So, in order for someone to play a SIM MLB game, if you don't have a PS, you need to plunk $500 down to play a baseball game?

Doesn't seem right.

Just like it's not right to only be forced to play one NFL football game.

# 52 kjcheezhead @ 01/30/14 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	King, I'm not saying two couldn't survive. All I'm saying I don't see any 3 or more sport video games out in the market like we did a decade or more ago. To me, that tells me that market has changed. What has been happening in the last decade, despite the competition, one game becomes more dominate and sells more than the others and after awhile, there is only one game left standing. Take baseball for instance. The game is only made on one console now. So, in order for someone to play a SIM MLB game, if you don't have a PS, you need to plunk $500 down to play a baseball game? Doesn't seem right. Just like it's not right to only be forced to play one NFL football game.

Id just point out that you may be right, but why does EA continue to pay a premium for exclusive then? Madden has name recognition, a large fan base in place and a 9 year head start on development. It should easily dominate the market and be the last game left as you say.

If EA and the NFL agreement is still exclusive, it's because there is a market for more games.

# 53 roadman @ 01/30/14 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjcheezhead


	Id just point out that you may be right, but why does EA continue to pay a premium for exclusive then? Madden has name recognition, a large fan base in place and a 9 year head start on development. It should easily dominate the market and be the last game left as you say.If EA and the NFL agreement is still exclusive, it's because there is a market for more games.

You make a great point and to answer that, maybe, just maybe, they are the ones that feel the competition would eliminate them at some point.

They may have felt that 10 years ago.

# 54 King_B_Mack @ 01/30/14 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	King, I'm not saying two couldn't survive. All I'm saying I don't see any 3 or more sport video games out in the market like we did a decade or more ago. To me, that tells me that market has changed. What has been happening in the last decade, despite the competition, one game becomes more dominate and sells more than the others and after awhile, there is only one game left standing. Take baseball for instance. The game is only made on one console now. So, in order for someone to play a SIM MLB game, if you don't have a PS, you need to plunk $500 down to play a baseball game? Doesn't seem right. Just like it's not right to only be forced to play one NFL football game.

I get you to an extent, but I think you're looking at things the wrong way. You're looking at the end result of things and saying there's no market for something because of where we are and that completely ignores why we're at the destination.

Using baseball as an example, just saying we've got one game now and that's proof that there isn't a market for three to exist or that they'd eventually get eaten up by one of the other games. MLB is the second (or third depending who you believe) most popular sport in America, you can't tell me that three titles all matching or right near each other in quality couldn't exist because there isn't a market for all of them. We have one baseball title right now, not because there isn't a market that could hold more than one, but partially because of the exclusive license and because 2K made poor decisions on the title as well. Like giving it to Kush in the first place.

The way the market is NOW, in the wake of exclusive deals and piss poor series management and design shouldn't be your determining factor on whether or not the market could hold X amount of games. Again, these companies own choices and their refusal to do anything to grow their markets is also a problem. For example, the NBA. NBA 2K since 2K 11 has routinely done about 4 to 5 million units or more by itself. Live, 2K and Fastbreak combined have never sold 5 million+ a year while here we are with a single bball title doing just that. Outstanding quality is the main reason for that with the death of two franchises playing a part as well. But look at next gen, people that don't even play sports games bought 2K with their consoles. Quality will grow the market. Too many companies were looking for overnight success instead of making quality titles and played major roles in killing themselves. Bottom line I think, there's a market for 2-3 games for at least the three major sports, gaming companies have to have a commitment to making it happen though and not focused solely on how soon they'll see big sales numbers.

# 55 roadman @ 01/30/14 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_B_Mack


	I get you to an extent, but I think you're looking at things the wrong way. You're looking at the end result of things and saying there's no market for something because of where we are and that completely ignores why we're at the destination. Using baseball as an example, just saying we've got one game now and that's proof that there isn't a market for three to exist or that they'd eventually get eaten up by one of the other games. MLB is the second (or third depending who you believe) most popular sport in America, you can't tell me that three titles all matching or right near each other in quality couldn't exist because there isn't a market for all of them. We have one baseball title right now, not because there isn't a market that could hold more than one, but partially because of the exclusive license and because 2K made poor decisions on the title as well. Like giving it to Kush in the first place. The way the market is NOW, in the wake of exclusive deals and piss poor series management and design shouldn't be your determining factor on whether or not the market could hold X amount of games. Again, these companies own choices and their refusal to do anything to grow their markets is also a problem. For example, the NBA. NBA 2K since 2K 11 has routinely done about 4 to 5 million units or more by itself. Live, 2K and Fastbreak combined have never sold 5 million+ a year while here we are with a single bball title doing just that. Outstanding quality is the main reason for that with the death of two franchises playing a part as well. But look at next gen, people that don't even play sports games bought 2K with their consoles. Quality will grow the market. Too many companies were looking for overnight success instead of making quality titles and played major roles in killing themselves. Bottom line I think, there's a market for 2-3 games for at least the three major sports, gaming companies have to have a commitment to making it happen though and not focused solely on how soon they'll see big sales numbers.

All of your points are very good and I would agree.

I just take a look around and see what's been happening over the last several years up to this point. Maybe there is a market for two or more games, but, then, I would ask, is there a market where two or more competent companies can make equal quality games. At this time, based on my observations , I would say no.(for all the above reasons you gave)

Could that change? Absolutely, but until that happens..................I'm more of a seer than a believer.

# 56 mestevo @ 01/30/14 06:16 PM

I think that's especially true early in a console transition.

Sent from my VZW Note 3

# 57 inkcil @ 01/30/14 06:29 PM

@ Bruce...I agree, if Madden was on par with Fifa, the Show or NBA 2k14 then there wouldn't be half the uproar there is over the licensing. Our best sport in America gets our worst video game. Crazy...

# 58 roadman @ 01/30/14 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inkcil


	@ Bruce...I agree, if Madden was on par with Fifa, the Show or NBA 2k14 then there wouldn't be half the uproar there is over the licensing. Our best sport in America gets our worst video game. Crazy...

Ink, you had me until 2k. Couldn't play it at all. Had to trade it in early. I'm not the only one, either. GS said a lot were coming back.

# 59 bigeastbumrush @ 01/30/14 07:15 PM

If consumers would stop going out and buying Madden every year like sheep, maybe, just maybe, they would get the message.

But half of the people complaining probably went out and bought it.

We all need a football fix.

But don't support them if you really care about this issue. Bottom line.

# 60 23 @ 01/30/14 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	King, I'm not saying two couldn't survive. All I'm saying I don't see any 3 or more sport video games out in the market like we did a decade or more ago. To me, that tells me that market has changed. What has been happening in the last decade, despite the competition, one game becomes more dominate and sells more than the others and after awhile, there is only one game left standing. Take baseball for instance. The game is only made on one console now. So, in order for someone to play a SIM MLB game, if you don't have a PS, you need to plunk $500 down to play a baseball game? Doesn't seem right. Just like it's not right to only be forced to play one NFL football game.

What games are you talking about though?

The FPS genre has done this despite it being a million of them out there, there are at least 3.

Its the fact that alot of these games just flat out sucked. If Sony made a basketball game like their baseball game you had better believe there would've been people buying it. If NBA Street came back out people would buy it because if its a good game they would support it.

What I think is the season for lackluster sports titles surviving at this point. If you don't plan to come up to where the bar is be prepared to receive subpar reception.

Its like they were saying we arent investing in the inner city because there isnt anything going on. Magic decided well its because you arent putting in any money that nothing is going on, then he went in and went on a tear, movie theaters, starbucks, fridays, etc... and guess what, all of a sudden here is all of this revenue out of nowhere.

Put something into it and you get that out of it. People like quality, but don't throw multiple years of junk at people and expect them to eat it like its a T-Bone.

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