EA grabs exclusive NFL rights and makes Microsoft look soft
This is big, big news: Electronic Arts, makers of the power house franchise Madden Football, has grabbed the exclusive rights to the NFL for the next five years. This means that only one company will be making a pro-football game next year.
This definitely goes down as the most evil thing I've heard of from an entertainment company, bar none. I can understand the record and movie companies taking people to court, even if their tactics are ridiculous. But this move absolutely destroys any competition, especially close compeditor Sega Sports. It's a smart business move for EA, Sega has been closing in for a few years now, and this year ESPN Football was very, very close in sales. So EA eliminated them.
EA also snagged up the rights to NASCAR racing, and destroyed the best stock car video game franchise EVER. They have exclusive rights to PGA Gold and FIFA soccer, 2 sports that are arguably secondary, soccer can be seen as conutries, not teams, and Microsoft is doing very well with their Links series. But what if EA grabs the rights to MLB or the NBA? Competition is stiffled, gamers lose. What company is going to pour millions into development of a game if the league pulls their franchise license out from underthem. This has sent shock waves through the entire sports gaming industry.
And it's by far the stupidest thing I've ever heard of from a sports league. The NFL is treating video games like some minor merchendising, like jerseys or something. They are sending a major, negative message to their younger audience.
BTW, EA's stock (ERTS) is a great buy right now.
This definitely goes down as the most evil thing I've heard of from an entertainment company, bar none. I can understand the record and movie companies taking people to court, even if their tactics are ridiculous. But this move absolutely destroys any competition, especially close compeditor Sega Sports. It's a smart business move for EA, Sega has been closing in for a few years now, and this year ESPN Football was very, very close in sales. So EA eliminated them.
EA also snagged up the rights to NASCAR racing, and destroyed the best stock car video game franchise EVER. They have exclusive rights to PGA Gold and FIFA soccer, 2 sports that are arguably secondary, soccer can be seen as conutries, not teams, and Microsoft is doing very well with their Links series. But what if EA grabs the rights to MLB or the NBA? Competition is stiffled, gamers lose. What company is going to pour millions into development of a game if the league pulls their franchise license out from underthem. This has sent shock waves through the entire sports gaming industry.
And it's by far the stupidest thing I've ever heard of from a sports league. The NFL is treating video games like some minor merchendising, like jerseys or something. They are sending a major, negative message to their younger audience.
BTW, EA's stock (ERTS) is a great buy right now.
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