Chargers Daily Links: EA, NFL, and NFLPA agree to multi-year extension

On Thursday, the NFL, NFL Players Association, and Electronic Arts agreed to a multi-year deal to extend their exclusive rights to keep Madden as the only football simulation game on the market for the foreseeable future.

“Madden NFL 20 was the most successful title in its franchise history,” said Cam Weber, EA Sports’ executive vice president and group general manager via email. “Our rapid growth this year was industry-changing and was a key forcing function in driving the biggest and widest-reaching deal in interactive entertainment for the NFL.”

This past year was the biggest it’s ever been after EA reported that amount of “unique” Madden players increased by 30% on top of the franchise being able to broadcast it’s tournaments on ESPN and EPSN2 on separate occasions in lieu of actual sports having been canceled since March.

According to industry tracker The NPD Group, video game sales in April hit $1.466 billion which was from $846 million last April. In that span, Madden was the 9th-best selling game, behind NBA 2K20 in 4th place and MLB: The Show 20 in 8th.

“Our rapid growth this year was industry-changing,” Weber said, “and was a key forcing function in driving the biggest and widest-reaching deal in interactive entertainment for the NFL.”

The newest edition of the franchise - Madden 21 - is set to be released in early August and will feature 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson on the cover, following last year’s MVP, Patrick Mahomes. EA is expected to release its’ first look at Madden 21 on June 1.

Chargers News:

Jason Reeds gives us his “reasonable predictions” for the 2020 defensive backs group (Bolt Beat)

Gavino Borquez identifies the underrated position groups on the Chargers (Chargers Wire)

Pep Hamilton speaks with Hayley Elwood about joining the Chargers coaching staff (Chargers.com)

Shawn Merriman joins Chris Hayre on the latest episode of Chargers Weekly (Chargers.com)

Pep Hamilton is admittedly high on QB Justin Herbert (Bleacher Report)

NFL News:

Josh Alper reports on the NFL approving preseason trial of expanded replay (Pro Football Talk)

The NFL tabled discussions of 4th-and-15 alternative to the onside kick (Pro Football Talk)

Rob Goldberg reports the multi-year extension of the NFL’s partnership with EA and the Madden franchise (Bleacher Report)

Joel Corry discusses five big player negotiations on the horizon (CBS Sports)

Why former football players and “The Bachelor” are a great pair (The Athletic)