Post by: NWR_Lindy on January 10, 2005, 03:42:20 PM
AFL & EA ENTER INTO EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT -- EA TO PRODUCE AFL VIDEOGAME FOR 2006 AFL SEASON
NEW YORK January 10, 2005 – The Arena Football League and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) have entered into an exclusive agreement to produce an AFL video game in time for the start of the 2006 AFL season that also allows EA to share in the proceeds of future expansion team sales. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Once again, we are partnering with an industry leader who believes in the AFL philosophy and its growth potential. To the extent that EA helps grow the AFL, they participate in that growth through the increased value of future expansion teams,” said Commissioner David Baker. “EA is the videogame industry’s gold standard. Arguably, nothing is more important to reach the younger male demographic that we are so strong in than video games. For our core fan, this is akin to a network-television agreement.”
Over the next four years and beginning with the 2005 AFL season, EA will partner with the AFL on media and retail marketing, and produce AFL games, the first to be available to consumers at the start of the 2006 AFL season.
“We believe that the business model the AFL has created will provide for a new football experience for videogame fans, and provide EA with an incentive to partner with the AFL to expand the league,” said Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO of EA. “The AFL is a unique brand of football and we intend to deliver a unique football gaming experience from any the industry has seen before. We’re pleased to be working with the league during this exciting, growth-period for the AFL.”
The partnership is a perfect match when considering customer demographics of both the AFL and EA. According to the ESPN Sports Poll, the AFL indexes at 186 for ages 12-17 and 127 for ages 18-24. Approximately 46 percent of all 12-17 year olds are fans of the AFL.
This is the first of four sponsor-related partnerships approved by the AFL Board of Directors and is an extension of the industry-changing equity agreement the AFL has with NBC Sports, in which NBC receives a percentage of the increase in AFL team values.
EA joins a growing list of industry leaders who are partnering with and/or sponsoring the AFL. The list includes: Aaron’s, ADT, Champs Sports, NBC, Nike, Spalding, Upper Deck and U.S. Army.
Post by: Mario on January 10, 2005, 04:12:15 PM
Hopefully they'll make this on GCN.
Post by: odifiend on January 10, 2005, 04:24:42 PM
Post by: Famicom on January 10, 2005, 04:41:25 PM
Post by: nickmitch on January 10, 2005, 05:57:20 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on January 10, 2005, 07:04:15 PM
I seriously doubt that EA actually feels that arena football is really lucrative enough to create games for it. This really looks like a blatant attempt to shut out any possible competing football games. This is getting ridiculous and I DARE anyone to try to defend EA anymore.
Post by: Termin8Anakin on January 10, 2005, 10:35:49 PM
Isn't that why its called Aussie Rules?
Post by: Kulock on January 11, 2005, 12:55:26 AM
"EA is excited to exclusively bring this latest simulation to a market eager for it, and we look forward to our upcoming agreements sealing other play areas, such as playgrounds and parks, as well as reaching an agreement with the all-important father-son 'toss around the pigskin' right holders."
EA is currently prepping a lawsuit against a comic strip named "Peanuts," which depicts attempts to kick a football regularly.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on January 11, 2005, 01:45:32 AM
AFL Website
It's actually pretty cool, a faster-paced version of NFL football. I'm going to check out a game at some point this year (Go Georgia Force!).
silks
Post by: couchmonkey on January 11, 2005, 04:20:14 AM
Post by: SgtShiversBen on January 11, 2005, 07:37:15 AM
Says it right there on the second line.
Post by: KDR_11k on January 11, 2005, 09:10:00 AM
EA buys NFL and is looking into aquiring FIFA and the IOC.
EA offers peace, Earth surrenders.
