EA’s NFL License Exclusivity In Danger

[Point Blank]

GamePolitics is reporting that a new case in the supreme court may make EA’s exclusive NFL rights illegal. The case is American Needle vs. New Orleans Saints, et al. and should the court side with American Needle it would put EA (and Take-Two, who has exclusive third-party rights to MLB) in violation of federal antitrust statutes. In layman’s terms it means they would be seen as attempting to make a monopoly, which, outside of board games, is very illegal.


A blog that follows the supreme court called SCOTUSblog, lays it out for us: The NFL used to license American Needle to sell hats that bore the logos, the names or other insignia of pro football teams… But, in 2000, the NFL opted to solicit bids for an exclusive license to produce caps and other headwear. Reebok won the bidding, and in 2001 got an exclusive ten-year license. American Needle’s license was not renewed. So it sued the NFL, all of its teams, NFL Properties, and Reebok. American Needle’s case was thrown out by lower courts… “The [Supreme] Court has stated, on more than one occasion,” American Needle asserted, “that application of the Sherman Act to professional sports teams is wholly consistent with Congressional intent…”

This is basically what happened to 2K Sports when EA signed its exclusivity deal with the NFL. Thus if it is illegal for the NFL to do it with clothing than it is illegal for them to do it with games too. GamePolitics also reports that this case has been brought up multiple times in the class-action lawsuit Pecover vs. Electronic Arts. So this case is definitely on EA’s radar.

http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/200...g-of-the-past/

Thoughts?

[Lumpkin]

Good because then 2k can lose the excluisive rights to the MLB and we can see the revival of MVP Baseball or The Show on Xbox 360.

[Len B]

This would be the best thing to happen to sports gaming in a long time. Question is, if its lifted does 2K decide to come back with a football game or have they packed up shop? Same for MVP baseball.

[DSpydr84]

I never cared for 2k football, but competition is better for everyone. Go team.

[kmanharris]

Yea I haven't liked 2k but if this means that 2k will lose their license for baseball and xbox can get the Show. Then I am all for it

[Yawkey Way]

Good because then 2k can lose the excluisive rights to the MLB and we can see the revival of MVP Baseball or The Show on Xbox 360.

doubt this would happen because the MVP team that created it split up, i don't think they work together, and MLB The Show is made by Sony..doubt that would happen either.

[Misogi]

Yea I haven't liked 2k but if this means that 2k will lose their license for baseball and xbox can get the Show. Then I am all for it

The Show is Sony's own product, sort of like Halo and Gears of War to Microsoft...at least I thought that.

I don't think you'll get the show on Xbox 360, regardless of what the outcome of this is.

[j.hen]

Of course 2k would make NFL games is this was lifted. Same with EA and MLB.

[ThunderHorse]

yea, this would be phenomenal, competition brings out the best. and imagine what EA would have done if 2K was making a game in the past 2 years? maybe we wouldn't have dealt with that shitty game called Madden 07 or even Madden 08.

I hope this happens, I really do, though I doubt it will happen soon if it does.

[dMerch]

eh i always hated 2k football buy maybe will up the anti and make madden a little better

[CB4]

Id love to see another 2k football game.

[MRN]

I hope this happens, then we might see MVP Baseball come back.

[GhostIcon]

Competition > EA

[celtsxpatsxsox]

If this were to happen there is know way EA would put out a good baseball game. EA hasnt made a baseball game on next gen. Like someone said there team disbanded which would mean they would have to find a whole new set of developers and chances are it wouldnt be any better than 2k9. 2k could make a football game though because that team is still around.

[packersfan4eva]

madden always fails. i'd try nfl 2k, so i'm glad.