Game Over: Electronic Arts Opts Not To Renew Deal With AFL

Electronic Arts "did not renew its deal with the Arena Football League, leaving the league without a video gaming partner as it prepares for its 2009 season," according to John Lombardo of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. A recent SEC filing indicated that EA Sports also "passed on an option to buy into the AFL, which was part of a three-year deal that began in 2006." EA Sports' debut AFL game, released in '06, "sold well enough for the company to produce another one for the 2007 season." However, it "did not exercise the option to produce a game last season and let the deal lapse after the 2008 season" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/17 issue).