It's been years since the last competing game, but EA is making sure that publishers burned by the other football contracts can't move into the college market.
CLC GRANTS EA EXCLUSIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL VIDEOGAME LICENSE
ATLANTA, Ga., (April 11, 2005) – The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) today announced an exclusive licensing relationship with Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) to develop, publish and distribute interactive college football games. The six-year agreement gives EA the exclusive rights to the teams, stadiums and schools for use in its best-selling college football videogames. The agreement is for all videogame consoles including console online features and handheld devices. The first title under the new contract, NCAA Football 2006, is scheduled for release this summer. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
"When we began our analysis of the videogame landscape, it became apparent that EA SPORTS was best positioned from a marketing and development perspective to maximize the sales opportunities for college football," said Pat Battle, CEO of The Collegiate Licensing Company.
"Electronic Arts has been a tremendous partner, and we are thrilled that the EA SPORTS team has renewed its commitment to the college market. We look forward to seeing how EA will continue to grow its NCAA Football franchise through innovative game play, unique marketing programs and its dedicated sales force."
“EA SPORTS is currently our top non-apparel licensee,” said Mike Low, Director of Licensing at the University of Notre Dame. “Fans love the effort they put into making the stadium, the traditions, mascots and the whole game environment so realistic.”
“Our NCAA football franchise is a key element in our EA SPORTS brand lineup and we are pleased to have secured the NCAA license,” said Jeff Karp, Group Vice President of Marketing for Electronic Arts. “There is an unrivaled loyalty our fans have for the game, and this agreement with CLC allows EA to continue to deliver to fans the best, most innovative college football experience now and for years to come.”
EA’s NCAA Football 2005 was the only college football title released in 2004. Its NCAA Football franchise, published under the EA SPORTS™ brand, has sold more than a million units in each of its three most recent iterations and was the #7 console title in terms of retail revenue in North America in 2004. NCAA Football 2005, currently is available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft, and Nintendo GameCube™. The game was developed by EA Tiburon based in Orlando, FL and rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB.
