“Madden NFL” franchise developer Electronic Arts will retain the license for the wildly popular simulated football video games for six more years after extending its deal with the National Football League.
The NFL and EA said Thursday the deal will lengthen the publishing and licensing agreement for “Madden” and “keep EA Sports’ ‘Madden NFL’ franchise as the exclusive and authentic football simulation game.”
EA will remain in possession of the “Madden” license and development rights through at least 2026.
The deal will allow EA to develop new games both in the “Madden NFL” franchise and outside it. NFL spokesperson Nick Shook wrote in a blog post the agreement also “pens new avenues for the creation of games in new genres, expanded esports programs and additional entertainment experiences for fans across more platforms.”