Exclusive Agreements Renewed Through 2012 Season
REDWOOD CITY, Calif--(Business Wire)--
Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:ERTS) today announced an extension of its
exclusive licensing relationships with the National Football League
and NFL PLAYERS to develop, publish and distribute interactive
football video games. These agreements - which were negotiated
separately and are extensions of contracts originally signed in
December 2004 - provide EA continued rights to NFL teams, stadiums and
players for its critically-acclaimed and best-selling football
videogames through the end of the 2012 season, which culminates in
February 2013.
Both agreements include all aspects of the interactive experience,
including console and handheld games as well as console-based online
features. The agreements also provide EA access to both NFL Films and
the NFL Network to enrich its game experiences. Financial terms of the
agreements were not disclosed.
"This is all about bringing authenticity and realism to
NFL videogames," said Eric Grubman, President of NFL Ventures. "EA
SPORTS continually works to maintain the cutting edge for NFL products
across a variety of gaming platforms. We like the fact that they never
rest."
"This is great news and it means we can continue to produce the
best interactive experience possible. It also allows NFL PLAYERS, the
NFL and EA to continue to build our brands," said Gene Upshaw,
Chairman of NFL PLAYERS and Executive Director of the National
Football League Players Association. "We offer a very unique
experience. "
"We are excited about the opportunity to extend and expand our
relationships with the NFL and NFL PLAYERS," said Peter Moore,
President of EA SPORTS(TM). "For nearly two decades, EA SPORTS has
been bringing sports fans closer to the great game of football through
the breakthrough interactive experiences of our videogames. Game
quality is our top priority, and we're committed to pushing our
gameplay innovation, connecting football fans via rich online
experiences and delivering the most visually stunning sports games on
the market."
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, EA's Madden NFL
franchise has consistently been one of the videogame industry's
best-selling and top-rated products, generating more than $2 billion
in retail sales. Madden NFL 08 earned awards from the 2007 Game
Critics Awards at the E3 Media and Business Summit, The SpikeTV Video
Game Awards, and the GameSpot Readers Choice Awards last year. The
game is available on the PLAYSTATION(R)3 and PlayStation(R)2 computer
entertainment systems, Xbox 360(TM) and Xbox(R) videogame and
entertainment systems from Microsoft, Nintendo DS(TM), Wii(TM), PC,
PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, mobile
handsets and Mac. EA also produces the arcade-football game NFL Tour
which hit stores in January 2008, and NFL Head Coach, which was
released in 2006. EA SPORTS recently hosted Madden Bowl XIV in
Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of Super Bowl XLII festivities.
Both agreements grant exclusive rights for action simulation,
arcade-style and manager games on the PC, handheld game devices and
consoles.
About EA SPORTS
EA SPORTS(TM) is the leading interactive sports software brand in
the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL
football, FIFA Soccer, NHL(R) hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA(R)
Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) and NASCAR(R) racing.
EA SPORTS is the center of the interactive sports experience and
its immersion into the sports world extends beyond games into a rich
portfolio of marketing programs and activities, including: the EA
SPORTS Challenge Series competitive gaming circuit; the EA SPORTS High
School All-American program for football, basketball, soccer, golf,
softball and baseball; the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational men's college
basketball tournament, NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS and
more.
EA SPORTS videogames are developed and produced for videogame
systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. For
more information about EA SPORTS, including newsletters, podcasts, and
fantasy football action please visit www.easports.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City,
California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software
company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and
distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems,
personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic
Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM),
EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2007, EA posted
revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one
million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More
information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be
found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
John Madden, NFL, FIFA, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods, PGA TOUR and
NASCAR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with
permission. "PLAYSTATION", "PlayStation" and "PSP" are trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox 360 are trademarks
of the Microsoft group of companies. Wii and Nintendo DS are
trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the properties of
their respective owners.
EA SPORTS
David Tinson, 604-456-5167
dtinson@ea.com
or
NFL
Dan Masonson, 212-450-2081
MasonsonD@NFL.com
or
NFL PLAYERS
Lara Potter, 202-572-7460
Lara.Potter@nflplayers.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
