Electronic Arts, the company behind the EA Sports brand and the Madden NFL franchise, has signed a deal with the NFL to extend the series for at least five more years. The deal, which was announced in a press release today, extends Madden NFL as the exclusive video game of the NFL.
Action Network, a sports betting website, reports that sources told them the deal has at least $1 billion going to the NFL and $500 million going to players. It also includes at least $500 million in marketing over the life of the deal.
Madden NFL extension details
While specifics of the deal weren’t included in the press release, Albert Breer, a reporter for MMQB (a part of Sports Illustrated) Tweeted that the deal will last through at least the 2025 season, and can be extended another season depending on revenue goals being met.
According to EA’s press release the company is also planning on creating new games and genres relating to the NFL over the course of this deal, specifying that they will focus on “expanded offerings for mobile players.”
While this deal is undoubtedly great for EA, the NFL, and the NFL’s players, there’s one group that’s not nearly as excited about this extension: Madden NFL players. Reading replies within the Madden Reddit community, you see similar complaints as you do on Twitter regarding the deal. Some gamers were hoping another company, such as 2K Games, would have a shot at creating an NFL game so as to spur some competition and bring some innovation to the genre.
It doesn’t appear a Madden NFL competitor is going to come in the next handful of years. With the return of NCAA Football being explored late last year, there’s a chance fans can get a non-NFL branded football experience elsewhere in the coming years.
A “first look” at Madden NFL 21 is planned to take place this Monday.
