Scoring The Hat Trick: Donovan Again On EA's "FIFA" Cover In U.S.

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

Donovan (r) Joined On Cover By Kaka (c) And Vela

EA Sports has again named Galaxy F and U.S. national team member Landon Donovan as the cover athlete for the American version of "FIFA Soccer 11," the publisher's highly popular simulation soccer title. Donovan, making his third appearance on the game cover, joins Real Madrid MF Kaka and Arsenal F Carlos Vela on the cover. "FIFA" is now EA Sports' largest-selling title each year on a global basis, and the company is anticipating marked growth in the U.S. this year, in part due to attention the sport generated during the recent World Cup. The game will be released Sept. 28. Donovan appeared on prior "FIFA" covers for the '03 and '07 North American versions of the game. Donovan said it is "exciting still, and it definitely feels different this time because of everything that's gone on" in the FIFA World Cup and since then. Donovan: "You add the fact that EA thinks that North America is going to become the top territory for 'FIFA' sales, it's another sign that things are improving for our sport."