Business Casual: NFL and EA Extend Madden Video Game Contract Through 2026

TB
Taylor Bagley
Jun 1, 2020
Business Casual Daniel Litwin EA Electronic Arts esports football gaming John Madden Madden NFL MarketScale mlb National Football League nba NCAA nfl nhl Tyler Kern video game

 

Selling more than 130 million copies since it started in 1989, thus, making it one of two video sports games ever to sell more than 100 million copies, the Madden franchise will continue to be a part of the gaming world for at least the next six years. Recently approving an extension of their contract that was set to expire after the 2021 season, the NFL and Electronic Arts (EA) are continuing a relationship that has existed for 30 years, making EA Sports the league’s exclusive publisher of football simulation games through 2026. Worth $1 billion to the NFL and $500 million to the players, as well as $500 million in marketing commitments, this deal tightens the ‘Madden’ grip on the video game market.

NFL VP-Head of Gaming and eSports Rachel Hoagland believes that keeping the Madden franchise at the core of the league’s video gaming strategy is vital, commenting, “EA has done a nice job of ensuring the game matches the experience during a game week. The new technology will allow richer content and add more realism.”

Daniel Litwin, Taylor Bagley, and Tyler Kern take on all things pigskin on this Business Casual snippet. First, the hosts break down the various parts of the new contract, EA’s exclusive rights to NFL simulation games that have existed since 2005 versus the NFL’s recent deal with 2K to debut a non-simulation (arcade-style) NFL game, and the loosening of NCAA football videogame licensing restrictions that will now allow college players to profit off their likenesses. But the Business Casual tag-team also discuss how optimistic conversations centered around the NHL, NBA and MLB reopening their seasons soon will impact the NFL’s decision to retake the field, as well as the NFL Players Association’s stance on player safety.

Coming to you each Wednesday and Friday, MarketScale’s Business Casual brings thought leadership to your day, keeping you current with the hottest topics and newest trends shaping business, culture and sports. And for the latest thought leadership, news and event coverage across B2B, be sure to check out our industry pages.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

healthcare
The Healthcare Talent Fix: Build Pipelines Early, Use Data, and Get the Experience Right
May 18, 2026

There’s a growing tension inside healthcare right now—between the people leaving the workforce and the patients still arriving every day. It’s a dynamic that leaders can no longer afford to ignore. The numbers make that clear: the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the U.S. could be short of as many as 86,000 physicians…

Read More
education
Just Thinking… About Federal Funds, Student Support, and the Future of Education with Eric Reaves
May 15, 2026

As conversations around the future of the U.S. Department of Education continue to intensify, educators and federal program leaders are facing mounting uncertainty about how federal funds will be managed, distributed, and regulated. At the same time, schools serving historically underserved students remain heavily reliant on programs like Title I and other federally…

Read More
trust
The Strongest Leaders Build Belief, Model Discipline and Earn Trust
May 14, 2026

Workplace leadership is under pressure: employees are continuing to disengage, and many managers are still trying to fix a trust problem with performance tactics. Gallup reported that U.S. employee engagement fell to 31% in 2024, its lowest level in a decade, and its research has found that managers account for at least 70% of…

Read More
medicine
The Art of Recovery: Where Music and Medicine Meet in Patient Care
May 14, 2026

Healthcare today can feel overwhelming—not just for patients, but for the teams caring for them. After a major illness or injury, recovery isn’t handled by one doctor alone; it often involves a whole network of specialists, from physical therapists to nurses to social workers, all trying to help someone regain their independence and quality…

Read More
Related
virtual physical therapy
Software & Technology
Virtual Physical Therapy and the Changing Landscape of Athlete Care
March 3, 2026
NBA
Healthcare
Slow Stories in a Fast League: Why the NBA Still Deserves Real, In-Depth Journalism
November 3, 2025

In a sports world increasingly defined by short-form clips, social algorithms, and viral takes, long-form storytelling remains a vital counterweight — the place where depth, nuance, and narrative still matter. The NBA, perhaps more than any other league, sits at the center of this tension: every quote can become a meme, every story a highlight…

Read More
college football
Healthcare
Coaching Insights: Inside the Relentless Pressure and Changing Realities of Modern College Football
October 27, 2025

The college football carousel is spinning faster than ever—accelerated by the transfer portal, NIL, and playoff-or-bust expectations. In this environment, staff turnover isn’t just a headline; it’s a human story affecting assistants and families who don’t have eight-figure buyouts. As discussed in this episode, a widely cited estimate suggests a majority of portal entrants…

Read More