Popular soccer video game series to get new name after FIFA, EA Sports end parternship
One of the most popular sports video game franchises is getting a new name.
After nearly three decades of a partnership, video game company EA Sports and soccer’s global governing body FIFA are splitting after the summer of 2023. EA Sports announced on its website Tuesday that the new name of the franchise will be EA Sports FC after its current deal with FIFA expires next summer.
The New York Times reported the game will still have most of the world’s popular clubs, leagues and stars as those are from separate licensing deals.
The split is due to “differing financial expectations,” the New York Times reported.
This new independent platform will bring fresh opportunity — to innovate, create and evolve,” EA Sports & Racing executive vice president and group general manager Cam Weber said in the statement. “This is much more than just a change of symbol - as EA SPORTS, we’re committed to ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change.
“We’re dedicated to meaningfully reinvesting in the sport, and we’re excited to work with a large and increasing number of partners to expand to new authentic experiences that bring joy, inclusivity and immersion to a global community of fans. I look forward to sharing more detail on these plans in the coming months.”
EA Sports, whose headquarters are in Redwood City, California and has an office in Orlando, received support from various leagues and clubs via social media after the announcement went public.
“EA SPORTS is a long-term and valued partner of the Premier League, and we look forward to continuing to work together in the new era of EA SPORTS FC,” Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said in the statement posted to EA’s website.
The different financial expectations that was the main source for the split, according to the New York Times, was FIFA wanting to double its licensing fee as well as “attach its brand to other digital products, including other video games.”
The current 10-year deal was set to expire following the FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022, but was extended to conclude after next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
EA Sports chief executive Andrew Wilson said the split was amicable, according to the New York Times.
“It was really about how can we do more for the players, more for the fans, how can we offer them more modalities to play, how can we bring more partners into the game, how can we expand beyond the bounds of the traditional game,” Wilson told the outlet.
The last game in the franchise under the FIFA banner will be FIFA 23, according to multiple reports.
