EA set to Dominate US Sports Gaming as NFL Exclusivity Rights Loom

Player lock-out for competition as EA does what it does best.

Posted by Staff
Shot from Madden NFL 2005
Shot from Madden NFL 2005
The Sports Business Journal looks to have stumbled across one of the biggest stories in recent gaming history, with the news that Electronic Arts is poised to snap up exclusive rights to all NFL players.

According to the report, EA is in talks - which are close to completion - with Players Inc, the NFL Players' Association marketing arm, to exclusively license the rights to all NFL player rights for the next four years. It states that the publisher will pay an incredible $250 million each year.

We have contacted EA for clarification on the issue, and are awaiting response at time of going to press. We’ll bring you full analysis for what this means for the sector and Electronic Arts’ competition then.
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Comments

Pandaman 19 May 2004 22:50
1/2
Well, at least I'll still have Mario Football for my alternative.

...uh.
Joji 20 May 2004 12:12
2/2
Not bothered, since they don't really dig soccer. And some of their sports are cheese. NHL Hitz is cool though.
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