Monopoly Comes to NFL Video Games

GameSpot reported today that Electronic Arts (EA) has signed an exclusive deal with the NFL and NFL Players Inc., for sole rights to use NFL teams, stadiums, and players in its games.

This stinks. Apparently the NFL decided in Spring that they would put the license up for bid as an exclusive deal. So now, rather than compete on the merits of its product, EA can simply freeze out the competition. Without teams, stadiums, and players, you don’t have much of a game. How much do you want to bet that next year the price cuts on Madden (made in response to ESPN NFL 2K5 selling for $19.99!) are history?

For more info see: Big Deal: EA and NFL ink exclusive licensing agreement – PlayStation 2 News at GameSpot