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

student visibility
Why Student Visibility Matters in Today’s Schools
March 3, 2026

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews SRO Todd Brendel of Dayton Independent Schools (KY), who shares frontline insights on the importance of knowing where students and staff are throughout the school day. He explains how they manage…

Read More
skilled trades mentorship
Why the Trades Need a Cultural Reset to Attract and Retain the Next Generation
March 3, 2026

The skilled trades are at a critical crossroads. According to an August 2025 report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), the number of women working in construction and extraction occupations rose to 366,360 in 2024, the highest level ever recorded. Yet despite that growth, women still account for only about 4.3% of construction…

Read More
virtual physical therapy
Virtual Physical Therapy and the Changing Landscape of Athlete Care
March 3, 2026

Virtual care is no longer an experiment—it’s a structural shift in healthcare. Telehealth usage remains significantly higher than pre-2020 levels, and providers across disciplines are rethinking how to deliver higher-quality outcomes without the overhead and insurance constraints of traditional clinics. Meanwhile, recreational and endurance sports participation continues to rise, with millions of Americans registering…

Read More
employer
Why Institution-Wide Employer Alignment Will Define the Next Era of Higher Ed
March 2, 2026

Higher education is at an inflection point. Institutions are facing a demographic cliff in traditional-age enrollment, softening international pipelines, and increasing scrutiny around the return on investment of a degree. At the same time, the World Economic Forum reports that 59 out of every 100 workers globally are projected to require reskilling or upskilling…

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