EA Sports and NFL extend exclusive partnership for simulation games

NEW YORK - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA), the $50 billion gaming giant whose stock is trading near its 52-week high of $203.75, and the National Football League have signed a multi-year exclusive agreement to expand their partnership across the EA SPORTS American football ecosystem, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

Under the renewed deal, EA SPORTS Madden NFL will continue as the exclusive action simulation game for NFL football. The partnership will also support new content for EA SPORTS College Football and the development of new interactive experiences focused on community engagement and gameplay.

The companies did not disclose financial terms or the specific duration of the agreement.

"Madden NFL has become one of the most widely recognized and culturally relevant gaming franchises in the world," said Renie Anderson, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at the NFL, in the press release.

The Madden NFL franchise currently sees the equivalent of 23,000 NFL seasons played daily across console, PC and mobile platforms, according to the company. This massive engagement has contributed to EA’s impressive 79% gross profit margin and $7.5 billion in revenue over the last twelve months.

As part of the expanded partnership, EA SPORTS served as presenting sponsor of the 2025 NFL Dublin game and will expand the Madden NFL Championship Series to include the first-ever competition in Spain alongside the 2025 NFL Madrid game.

The companies stated they are investing in machine learning, real-world data integration, volumetric capture, and advanced AI to enhance future football gaming experiences.

Electronic Arts reported GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion for fiscal year 2025. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains strong financial health with robust cash flows and moderate debt levels. Investors seeking deeper insights into EA’s valuation and 14+ additional ProTips can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, which provides detailed analysis of this gaming leader’s financial position and growth prospects.

In other recent news, Electronic Arts announced that Battlefield 6 has set franchise records by selling over 7 million copies in its first three days of release. The game has seen significant engagement, with players participating in over 172 million online matches since its launch and accumulating over 15 million hours of viewership on streaming platforms during the opening weekend. In a major corporate development, Electronic Arts revealed a $55 billion deal to be taken private by a consortium including Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, with a buyout price of $210 per share.

Following this announcement, several financial analysts have updated their ratings and price targets for Electronic Arts. Roth/MKM downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral, citing limited upside potential based on the $210 per share cash offer. UBS maintained a Neutral rating but raised its price target from $167 to $210, while BMO Capital also adjusted its target from $166 to $210, maintaining a Market Perform rating. Jefferies downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold, also raising its price target to $210. These developments reflect the company’s current strategic moves and market positioning.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.