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EA gets sole rights from NFL and NFLPA

Well have fun playing your ESPN Pro Football or something game next year, because it won't feature and NFL logos or teams and there won't be any players from the NFLPA in it. Electronic Arts has signed an exclusive deal with them for the next five years.

QB #5 of the Philadelphia Birds drops back and throws a touchdown the WR #81. Sound fun? I didn't think so.

Game, set, and match to EA Sports.

This is going to have a monumental impact on video game sports as we know it. It allows developers to make the games they truly want. No rules or regulations from the NFL. They can put as many big hits in as they want. Dirty play and fights can become part of the game now that there is no one to tell them what they can or cannot do.

Will EA continue to innovate and evolve? Now that they've separated themselves with a fat pile of cash, will they still attempt to separate themselves in terms of gameplay? Only time will tell.

Update: IGN is reporting that EA may be working on similar deals with the NBA and MLB.

Another update: Gamespot chimes in with another point of view. The one thing I disagree with is that this will lead to higher game prices. They may have one upped (intentional gaming pun) the sports game competition, but they still must compete with every other option a buyer has. Whether it is another sports game, a game from a different genre or system or platform, or something entirely different they must still provide value for your purchase. I just can't imagine EA Sports games costing more than any other games.

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