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Despite securing the lucrative NFL exclusivity deal around two weeks ago, initial reports suggest that EA have been unsuccessful in their attempt to sow up a similar deal with American basketball association, the NBA.
If true, the rumours will bring a spot of Christmas cheer to rival sports game developers, many of whom are still reeling from the NFL’s decision to allow EA exclusive rights to players, teams and statistics from American football’s governing body. This means that, at least for now, games like ESPN Basketball and NBA Ballers can continue to use the NBA license to their heart’s content and gamers can continue to enjoy a spell of monopoly-free diversity.
IGN, who broke the story first, have suggested the decision may have come about because EA’s NBA Live series is struggling to dominate the basketball game market in the same way that its Madden franchise does with American football. Whilst the Madden games outstrip their rivals in the sales department, the Live games haven’t quite managed to break away in the same way and it may be that the NBA see more money coming in from a diverse range of products rather than the one gargantuan settlement EA made with the NFL. It’s equally plausible that the amount of money EA were offering just wasn’t enough to tempt the NBA at this early stage. With neither party willing to comment at the moment – there’s nothing to suggest that EA won’t come back with an improved and more acceptable offer at a later date.
Fingers crossed the NBA License brokers are the thoughtful and decent individuals you imagine holding such positions of power in corporate America.
