As we’d been reassured last May, the dissolution of FIFA and Electronic Arts’ (EA) 30-year partnership certainly doesn’t mean the end of football games for either. Reports are now indicating EA Sports will ink a blockbuster commercial deal with the English Premier League (EPL).
According to Sky News, 20 Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and the Tottenham Hotspurs have been briefed on a brand new six-year partnership with EA Sports worth approximately £488 million ($850.6 million).
“One club executive said [this deal] would deliver more than £80 million ($139.4 million) annually, and would consist of EA remaining as the league’s lead partner as well as retaining its exclusive electronic game licence,” reveals Mark Kleinman of Sky News.
“The lucrative extension is said to be worth more than double the existing deal involving the two parties.”
“Sky Sports News understands it’s this commercial strength that has helped convince the would-be defectors who considered joining the European Super League in 2021 that the Premier League is the most financially robust league in world football.”
RELATED: ‘The Simpsons – Hit & Run’ Developer Wants A Remake Just As Badly As We Do
While the English Premier League has declined to comment, EA Sports has noted: “We don’t comment on details of commercial relationships, or discussions with our partners. We’re proud to have a long-standing partnership with the Premier League and its clubs, and appreciate their support in our plans for EA Sports FC. We have nothing to announce today.”
EA Sports lost the rights to FIFA after months of “tense negotiations” back in 2022. True to their avaricious reputation, FIFA apparently demanded double the annual US$150 million (AU$215 million) fee it received from the video game publisher. Instead of kotowing to FIFA, EA Sports simply walked away and announced the rebranding of its multi-billion-dollar franchise to the aforementioned EA Sports FC.
In turn, FIFA is bringing a direct rival to market with every intention to beat EA Sports at their own game, which is quite a laughable ambition considering the decades of experience the latter has over the former.
“I can assure you that the only authentic, real game that has the FIFA name will be the best one available for gamers and football fans,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“The FIFA name” — which Gianni suggested the organisation would reclaim for its own game — “is the only global, original title.”
EA Sports’ FIFA 23 marked the franchise’s biggest-ever launch with over 10.3 million players registered on the title within the first week alone.
