Not long after it was announced that the NFL and 2K Games had come to a multiyear, multigame agreement, EA decided it was necessary to release a statement of their own regarding the status of the NFL license.
In the statement, EA confirms what many knew regarding the company’s EA Sports division having the exclusive simulation rights to the NFL license. It also goes on to say that during their numerous contracts with the NFL, non-simulation games were always able to be developed.
The full statement can be found below:
EA SPORTS is the exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games, and our partnership with the NFL and NFLPA remains unchanged. Our agreements have always allowed for non-exclusive development of non-simulation games on various platforms. Our commitment to NFL fans, which spans almost 30 years, has never been stronger, and we’re having our biggest year yet. Madden NFL 20 is the most successful game ever in the franchise, and new modes like Superstar KO and our Madden NFL esports broadcasts are growing the fan base. We’ll be building on that momentum with more new and different experiences, on more platforms and with new ways to play, in the years to come.
Madden NFL 20 launched back in August to mixed reviews, with many fans clamoring for competition to return in order to see better-produced products. For that competition to return, fans will have to wait until after the 2021 season at the earliest which is when EA’s exclusive right to NFL simulation games comes to an end.
The first game of the new agreement is slated for 2021, and it will more likely be an NBA Playgrounds-style game for the NFL. Could it be a new version of an NFL Street? Obviously only time will tell.
For more on the NFL and its new relationship with 2K, stick with Sports Gamers Online.