EA signs exclusivity deal with NCAA football

[Great Rumbler]

ATLANTA, Ga., (April 11, 2005) – The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) today announced an exclusive licensing relationship with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) to develop, publish and distribute interactive college football games. The six-year agreement gives EA the exclusive rights to the teams, stadiums and schools for use in its best-selling college football videogames. The agreement is for all videogame consoles including console online features and handheld devices. The first title under the new contract, NCAA Football 2006, is scheduled for release this summer. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"When we began our analysis of the videogame landscape, it became apparent that EA SPORTS was best positioned from a marketing and development perspective to maximize the sales opportunities for college football," said Pat Battle, CEO of The Collegiate Licensing Company.

"Electronic Arts has been a tremendous partner, and we are thrilled that the EA SPORTS team has renewed its commitment to the college market. We look forward to seeing how EA will continue to grow its NCAA Football franchise through innovative game play, unique marketing programs and its dedicated sales force."

“EA SPORTS is currently our top non-apparel licensee,” said Mike Low, Director of Licensing at the University of Notre Dame. “Fans love the effort they put into making the stadium, the traditions, mascots and the whole game environment so realistic.”

“Our NCAA football franchise is a key element in our EA SPORTS brand lineup and we are pleased to have secured the NCAA license,” said Jeff Karp, Group Vice President of Marketing for Electronic Arts. “There is an unrivaled loyalty our fans have for the game, and this agreement with CLC allows EA to continue to deliver to fans the best, most innovative college football experience now and for years to come.”

EA’s NCAA Football 2005 was the only college football title released in 2004. Its NCAA Football franchise, published under the EA SPORTS™ brand, has sold more than a million units in each of its three most recent iterations and was the #7 console title in terms of retail revenue in North America in 2004. NCAA Football 2005, currently is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, and Nintendo GameCube™. The game was developed by EA Tiburon based in Orlando, FL and rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB.

Yay!

Planet Gamecube

[The Former DMiller]

At least it doesn't touch college basketball. EA's NCAA football game is infinitely better than anything else out there. I don't even know if Sega even makes their NCAA football game anymore. College bball is a different beast, however. EA's game sucks when compared to Sega's College Hoops game, and I pray EA doesn't wrap up that deal. Regardless of NCAA Football being a good game, these deals still piss me off to no end.

[Great Rumbler]

Because it's another example of EA working as hard as they can to stifle their competitors.

[A Black Falcon]

Hmm... is there any football-related liscence that EA DOESN'T have yet? I can't think of one... monopolies are bad. :(

[Great Rumbler]

Monopolies are VERY BAD. They take away some of the consumer surplus and add it to the produce surplus. *is halfway through a course on microeconomics*

[A Black Falcon]

So... will football games improve in the next decade? EA has no reason to try very hard... and the days of the $20 or $30 football game are over.

The only 'competition' is Midway and its Blitz game, which won't have any NFL players but will try to sell based on more violence... who knows how effective competition it'll be, though.

[Great Rumbler]

I'm sure that EA won't be satisfied with just a monopoly in sports games.

[A Black Falcon]

They don't have baseball... Take Two does. And the NBA lets four or so companies make games.

[big guy]

i think EA's gonna run for president in 2012.

[The Former DMiller]

They'll probably buy out the Democratic and Republican parties so they will have no competition. Either that or they will hammer out an exclusivity deal with Congress that gives EA the exclusive rights to the American Presidency for 4 years, with a mutual option for another 4 after that.

[Great Rumbler]

EA for permanent dictator in 2012!!

[Dark Jaguar]

Hey, that monopoly only exists for the major companies in sports. It's not like realistic sports games that are outside the various leagues and stuff can't still be made, they just wouldn't have anyone famous in it. Custom design time.

[Great Rumbler]

The problem is sports games like that don't sell very well, the people that by sports games want sports games with players they recognize.

[A Black Falcon]

Right. Midway has a slight chance with Blitz, since it'll sell on violence, but even there, it'll get CRUSHED by Madden.