Electronic Arts has announced a long-term extension of its agreement with football union Fifpro. EA has thus guaranteed the right to use the names and the like of thousands of professional football players in its games.
David Jackson, vice president of branding at EA Sports, said that “our players constantly remind us that one of the most important aspects of the experience in EA Sports games is the realism provided by the authentic use of the world’s major leagues, teams and athletes. In this way, we are able to continue to blur the line between the digital and physical football worlds.”
Electronic Arts announced earlier this week that they had begun discussing whether to proceed with the FIFA name and then filed a trademark application for the EA Sports FC name.
If EA severs ties with FIFA, it will still be able to retain licenses to leagues, players and stadiums in the game through other partners and agreements.
