EA and the NFL have confirmed that a new deal has been agreed to continue the Madden NFL series of games until 2026, according to Polygon. The license was set to expire at the end of the 2021 NFL season. Both Andrew Wilson, CEO of EA, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released statements about the new deal.
Andrew Wilson said:
“Building on the most successful year ever for Madden NFL, this is a powerful time for EA SPORTS to come together with the NFL and the NFLPA in this new wide-reaching partnership. Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to entertain more players through new Madden NFL experiences, games in new genres and on new platforms, esports, and new innovations that will grow fans’ love of the NFL around the world.”
Roger Goodell said:
“EA has been a trusted partner for more than thirty years and they continue to bring innovation, authenticity and creativity to everything they do and we are certainly a great example of that as evidenced by the huge success of Madden NFL 20. The expansion of this partnership is not only about the continued success of the Madden NFL franchise but also the creation of new avenues for our fans to connect with the sport they love.”
EA is not the only company that will be making NFL titles as 2K recently signed a deal with the NFL too. However, the two companies will be focusing on different elements with EA focusing on simulation titles while 2K will likely work on more arcade-like experience. Yesterday, EA announced it was postponing the announcement of Madden NFL 21 due the current political situation that is unfolding in the US which sparked after the murder of George Floyd, which was caught on film, by a now former Minneapolis police officer. The officer has been charged with third degree murder and second degree manslaughter.
