NFL, EA Sports Team Up For "Madden" Esports Competition

The NFL and EA Sports today announced that they are partnering to "create a nationwide 'Madden NFL 18' tournament involving all 32 teams." The league also said that a "bigger commitment to an esports league is coming." The newly formed Madden NFL Club Championship "will begin with local tournaments in each NFL market." Each team "will organize and market their own tournaments, which may be hosted at NFL stadiums and other team facilities." The championship-round events "will be held at the Pro Bowl in Orlando and Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/21 issue).

EA and the NFL "ran a similar competition last year on a smaller scale." NFL Chief Strategy Officer & Senior VP/Consumer Products Chris Halpin said that the "teams involved 'loved it, loved the model,' but one of the criticisms he heard was that 'my favorite team's not in it.'" Halpin: "We need all 32 (teams), and for the fans externally, it makes more sense if every team is represented" (AP, 8/21).