EA Enters into Exclusive
Agreements with NFL and PLAYERS INC to Expand and Integrate Customer
Entertainment Experience announces a new deal between EA and the NFL &
PLAYERS Inc (thanks Nathan). Here's a bit, which seems to indicate that other
games will be unable to use the names of actual players, stadiums, or even teams
for five years:
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13,
2004--Electronic Arts today announced exclusive licensing relationships with the
National Football League and PLAYERS INC to develop, publish and distribute
interactive football games. These five-year agreements -- which EA negotiated
separately -- give EA the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, stadiums and
players for use in its football videogames. Both agreements also include
exclusive rights for console online features. Financial terms of the agreements
were not disclosed.