EA purchases exclusive rights to NFL games

[me]

EA Enters into Exclusive Agreements with NFL and PLAYERS INC to Expand and Integrate Customer Entertainment Experience
Monday December 13, 4:38 pm ET

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2004--Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) today announced exclusive licensing relationships with the National Football League and PLAYERS INC to develop, publish and distribute interactive football games. These five-year agreements -- which EA negotiated separately -- give EA the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, stadiums and players for use in its football videogames. Both agreements also include exclusive rights for console online features. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

For the first time, all aspects of the interactive experience -- including console-based fantasy football features and handheld game devices -- will be fully integrated with one EA game. This also provides the opportunity for new games and for EA to access both NFL Films and the NFL Network for use in the games.

"We are pleased to expand our agreement with Electronic Arts, the leading video game manufacturer and a valued NFL partner," said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "We look forward to working with EA to continue to enhance the quality of NFL video games that our fans have enjoyed for many years."

"For more than a decade, EA has produced the most authentic football product for fans of the game," said PLAYERS INC Chairman Gene Upshaw. "This exclusive relationship will maximize the value of NFL players through EA's continued commitment to bring fans closer to the game."

"We are excited about the opportunity to further enhance our relationship with the NFL and PLAYERS INC," said Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Arts. "The five-year agreements will usher NFL fans through the console technology transition with new ideas and innovative game play experiences."

Both agreements are exclusive for action simulation, arcade-style and manager games on the PC, handheld game devices and consoles -- including console online features. The agreements do not include exclusive rights to other types of games or games accessible from the Internet or wireless devices, including cellular phones.

Madden NFL Football from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand has sold more than 42 million copies over the franchise's 15 year history. Madden NFL 2005, the most complete football game ever, is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy® Advance, the PlayStation® console and PC. NFL STREET 2 for the PlayStation 2 console, Xbox system and Nintendo GameCube will be on store shelves by December 26, 2004. Both games were developed by EA Tiburon, and rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB. The games official websites are www.madden2005.com and www.nflstreet2.com.
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[.Joker.]

snipe...there goes your espn nfl games. you better get madden and start practicing now. or should i say the next 5 years.

[jackal88]

I bugged when I read that on CNN. I was going to post it too. Good shit, I love Madden!!

[me]

kinda sucks. i like espn 2k5. dont play it much though.

[jackal88]

I hear you Ars. Actually ESPN gave Madden a run for the title this year. Madden is still a bit better in terms of gameplay (in my opinion). I just hate the fact that EA got greedy on us. They just don't want to sell Madden for a cheaper price because ESPN made it a competitive market and crashed their projected sales. From now on they can ask whatever the hell they want for the next five years. They're basically monopolizing the game industry. They must of read Bill Gates 101.

[Arsenal23]

yup. i wont be gettin any other football games unless its a present or somethin.

[jackal88]

I don't blame you. I'll cop it, but I liked the idea that I was going to pay a cheaper price next year. So much for that...

[me]

btw i got your message on saturday and im sorry i didnt pickup. ive been sick since last week and my brother gave my phone number to this fool he knows and he keeps callin my phone, so eventually i stopped pickin up. everytime one of you dudes calls me i dont pickup, you must be thinkin "whats wrong with this asshole?" LOL. we were rollin deep saturday night though, we even played Shadow Falls!

[SNiPE]

Well you guys think that may be a good thing for Madden and us Fans? Dont get me wrong.I like Madden.Just liked ESPN better.The only thing that sucks about them getting the rights is that they will be the only company to produce the NFL games.Which can lead to sorry production.They dont have to go against anyone.Which means they dont have to go out the extra link like they might if they had competition.So they may not be so much more improved throughout the next few years.We will see.

[jackal88]

I don't think we have to worry about that, although it was a valid point. I think that Tiburon and team are a bunch of perfectionist and will continue to make great games. These are basically the same teams that brought you NCAA Football, so you know their going to improve every year. Ars, no sweat. I know you must screen your calls like we all do,lol.