Social games company Zynga announced Thursday that it reached deals with the NFL and golfer Tiger Woods "on a series of games for mobile devices," according to Brett Molina of USA TODAY. The golf game starring Woods, launching in '15, is "part of an exclusive multiyear partnership that will deliver a title available on multiple mobile platforms." Woods had "previously partnered" with EA on his namesake game. Meanwhile, Zynga "locked up licensing agreements" with the NFL and NFLPA to "launch several mobile football games bearing the brand." The first title, "NFL Showdown," is a "manager-style mobile game in which players build out their rosters with real stars from NFL teams." The games will be "developed by Zynga's studio based in Orlando, and feature designers who worked on sports games" including Woods' EA game (USA TODAY, 8/8). Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, confirmed that the deal "will include not only the use of Woods' likeness," but he also will be "involved with the development of the game." Steinberg: "It's considerably different than what we did for all those years successfully with EA. EA was a fantastic partner for us for so many years, but it's different" (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/7). See the full business portfolio for Zynga at Resource Guide LIVE.
