Electronic Arts today announced exclusive licensing relationships with the National
Football League and PLAYERS INC to develop, publish and distribute interactive
football games. These five-year agreements — which EA negotiated separately —
give EA the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, stadiums and players for use in
its football videogames. Both agreements also include exclusive rights for console
online features. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

For the first time, all aspects of the interactive experience — including console-based
fantasy football features and handheld game devices — will be fully integrated
with one EA game. This also provides the opportunity for new games and for EA
to access both NFL Films and the NFL Network for use in the games.

“We are pleased to expand our agreement with Electronic Arts, the leading
video game manufacturer and a valued NFL partner,” said NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue. “We look forward to working with EA to continue to enhance
the quality of NFL video games that our fans have enjoyed for many years.”

“For more than a decade, EA has produced the most authentic football product
for fans of the game,” said PLAYERS INC Chairman Gene Upshaw. “This
exclusive relationship will maximize the value of NFL players through EA’s continued
commitment to bring fans closer to the game.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to further enhance our relationship
with the NFL and PLAYERS INC,” said Larry Probst, Chairman and CEO of Electronic
Arts. “The five-year agreements will usher NFL fans through the console technology
transition with new ideas and innovative game play experiences.”

Both agreements are exclusive for action simulation, arcade-style and manager
games on the PC, handheld game devices and consoles — including console online
features. The agreements do not include exclusive rights to other types of games
or games accessible from the Internet or wireless devices, including cellular
phones.

Madden NFL Football from the EA SPORTS(TM) brand has sold more than 42 million
copies over the franchise’s 15 year history. Madden NFL 2005, the most complete
football game ever, is available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment
system, Xbox(R) videogame system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game
Boy(R) Advance, the PlayStation(R) console and PC. NFL STREET 2 for the PlayStation
2 console, Xbox system and Nintendo GameCube will be on store shelves by December
26, 2004. Both games were developed by EA Tiburon, and rated “E” (Everyone)
by the ESRB. The games official websites are http://www.madden2005.com
and http://www.nflstreet2.com.

Filed under: Games

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