The End of an Era: What's Next for FIFA and EA

Source: playstation.com

One of the top-selling franchises each year, EA Sports FIFA has been the most played soccer (football) video game since 1993. With tens of millions of copies sold each year, their famous partnership is set to end. 

Their existing deal is set to expire next year, and the ongoing negotiations between EA and FIFA are not going well. Like seriously bad. FIFA has requested that EA DOUBLE the fees they pay for the rights to use the FIFA brand in their video games. So instead of their existing $500 million deal, FIFA wants a whopping $1 billion. $1 billion for an extended 4-year contract. Apparently, the extra $500 million is a reward for their increasing brand value and associated trademarks. It’s safe to say that EA didn’t like that proposed deal whatsoever. 

FIFA has recognized the revenue potential for using their name, image, and likeness for video games, as seen with the CRAZY figures that EA has brought in from their FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT). People buy packs nonstop and pay ridiculous amounts each year. FIFA wants its slice of the pie and is more than willing to sell to more than just one company, to maximize their licensing revenue per year. 

So what does this mean? Well, it means FIFA as we know it is done. Now it doesn’t mean that the game itself is done, just the name and branding that we’ve seen every game since 1993. 

More importantly, we’re going to see a new leader in the soccer video game industry. Whether that’s UFL or eFootball, someone is going to get that licensing deal with FIFA. It’s a MASSIVE loss for EA, but a MASSIVE dub for whoever gets the FIFA rights. Maybe we’ll see FIFA 23 with teams like Piemonte Calcio and Rome FC, but still, the big names like Ronaldo and Messi will still shine. 

Who knows what’s going to happen for the next FIFA, but it’s changing the scene of video games entirely. but it’s a new ball game coming next year, literally.

Published: October 22, 2021 - Issue 11 of The Sport Marketeer