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EA Sports Poaches English Premier League from FIFA for $850 Million
Electronic Arts (EA) Sports has made headlines as they start their journey into a new era, bidding farewell to the FIFA brand and welcoming their new name, EA Sports FC (doesn’t have quite the same ring to it). After nearly three decades of partnership and sponsorship with FIFA, the two entities have gone their separate ways, leaving EA Sports to navigate uncharted territories. This move is particularly interesting given that FIFA asked for a staggering $1 billion to renew their license agreement, which the gaming developer declined. Twisting the knife into the notoriously corrupt governing body, Sky Sports has revealed EA is reportedly closing in on a whopping £488 million (AU$851.6 million) licensing deal with the English Premier League – perhaps the most critical piece of the post-FIFA puzzle.
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Image: EA Sports
The recent agreement between the English Premier League and EA Sports further solidifies their independence from FIFA. The six-year deal is reported to earn the 20 Premier League teams more than £80 million (AU$139.6 million) a year, making it worth more than double the previous agreement between the two parties. The Premier League is known for its commercial and marketing prowess, featuring some of the world’s most famous football clubs, such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City. The Premier League’s recent victory over the European Super League further highlights the league’s power and influence in the world of football.
EA Sports’ decision to walk away from FIFA also brings up the question of how FIFA will continue to develop and distribute it’s own video games independently. Without the expertise of EA and without partnerships with leagues such as the Premier League, it’s hard to see how FIFA will be able to compete in the same way it did with EA Sports. Moreover, the fact that the Premier League has chosen to work with EA Sports over FIFA showcases their allegiance and confidence in EA’s ability to produce a higher-quality product.
The renowned Ultimate Team mode of EA’s football games has proven to be a cash cow, generating an impressive USD$1.6 billion (AU$2.3 billion) in revenue in a single year. This demonstrates the sheer power and influence that EA Sports has in the market. As EA Sports sets out on its new journey, it will be exciting to see what new innovations and improvements will materialise now they’re free from the constraints of its previous association.
As the world eagerly awaits the release of EA Sports FC, one thing is for sure – it’s going to be a thrilling build-up for football gamers worldwide. Will they meet expectations or will the new version fall flat with fans? Only time will tell. However, With the Premier League backing them up , the future looks a little brighter for EA Sports as they strive to continually produce the most successful game on the market.
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Sam Mangioni
Sam Mangioni is an experienced Staff Writer with an extensive background in digital content production and news. Prior to working for Man of Many, Sam spent three years at Southern Cross Austereo where he served as a Content Producer and News Reporter for the flagship Triple M Breakfast Program. The Sydney-based reporter completed a Bachelor of Commerce from Macquarie University Majoring in Marketing in 2014. A specialist in sport, lifestyle and gear coverage, Sam's work has also featured in Fight News Australia.
