Eagles QB Michael Vick and Browns RB Peyton Hillis are facing off in the final vote to determine the cover athlete of EA Sports' "Madden NFL 12," and if Vick wins, “his face will find a home next to televisions and gaming consoles all around the world,” according to John Gonzalez of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Vick said of the game, “It's global. And everybody plays it. It's a game that you look forward to playing every year.” Gonzalez noted if Vick pulls off the victory, he will be the “first person to appear on the cover twice” after gracing the cover of "Madden NFL 04." Vick: “It's a great opportunity for me. … The first time, I really wasn't too big on having the opportunity. I appreciated it, but this time around I think I will appreciate it so much more. I took a lot for granted early in my career. It was a great opportunity at the time, but now it will be so much more satisfying.” Vick's image continues to recover following his arrest on dog fighting charges, and he said of the support from his fans, “It happened with the Pro Bowl and receiving all the votes from fans. The people did all those votes and now I can reflect on it. I know how hard I've worked on it and it has to continue. I have a lot of people I don't want to let down, and that's my motivation.” ESPN2 will reveal the winner Wednesday on "SportsNation" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/25). Meanwhile, Carrie Hillis said her son is "thrilled" to be a finalist for the "Madden" cover. EA Sports Senior Product Manager Anthony Stevenson indicated that "more than 12 million people have voted in the bracketed online tournament" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/23).
ON THE BIG SCREEN: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Lefton & Fisher note Vick “has agreed to do a documentary film chronicling his life with Bombo Sports & Entertainment." Bombo CEO Bob Potter said that “the plan is for a 70- to 90-minute documentary with a theatrical release in Philadelphia and other NFL cities to coincide with the start of the NFL season, and a possible TV airing on ESPN or another sports-focused TV outlet.” Lefton & Fisher note an “agreement with the NFL needs to be reached if the league’s intellectual property and footage are to be used.” Potter said that he “has spoken with the league several times.” He added that “sponsorship opportunities for the yet-to-be-named film are now being sold” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/25 issue).
