Big Ups To The NBA!

[Xaminor]

Big ups to the NBA


NBA Rejects EA Offer
Dec 21, 2004 @ 11:08am
Author: Daniel Kayser
Summary: EA's exclusivity offer to the NBA gets swatted into the stands. Fast breaking details inside...
Full: According to a story on IGN Sports, the National Basketball Association has rejected the initial offer from gaming giant Electronic Arts that would give the company exclusive rights to the publish games containing the NBA license. The deal, which would presumably be the same as the monumental agreement between EA and the NFL signed last week, would give the publisher exclusive rights to the NBA's players, teams and arenas.

While no guarantee that the deal might eventually happen is made clear by the rejection, the NBA does not serve to benefit as dramatically from EA's NBA Live and NBA Street franchises as the NFL might from EA's popular Madden series. With such successful franchises as Sega and Visual Concept's ESPN NBA 2K and Midway's NBA Ballers threatened to be ceased by such an agreement, the NBA could very well lose significant profit by signing an exclusivity deal with Electronic Arts.

Additionally, it is worth noting that EA is reportedly also courting Major League Baseball for an exclusive deal. While a few major publishers may be worried by EA's aggressiveness in the sports market, no clear word on a deal with MLB, or even an offer from EA has surfaced as of yet. EA also announced earlier this week that the company has acquired nearly 20% of another gaming giant, UbiSoft, who is working on an And1 street hoops game that would compete with EA's NBA Street brand.
Related Games:
ESPN NBA 2K5 [xbox, ps2]



Gametrailers.com

[49ersPhreak]

[NYC_2K4]

This is low ball tatics by EA!

While it's very legal, it's a loser's mentality.

NFL is my fav sport, but they dropped the ball on this deal with EA. I applaud the NBA for rejecting this deal, but hopefully it's a permanment rejection.

I didn't know UBISOFT was working on an AND1 bball game, now EA acquisition makes sense.

I know someone with close ties to MS Gaming division. he mention to me a few months ago about both Rockstar & UBISoft purschasing a few of MS defunked Sports titles.

As we know Rockstar scooped up MS Top Spin & Links.

This is really shady for EA to beat their competition by buying them out/taking over & then closing them down!

Screw EA Ports!

[Medway]

Although its great that the NBA rejected the offer I'm not sure we should be patting them on the back for it. According to the article the reason they didn't go for it was because it didn't make sense for them financially. I bet if they could make a bunch of money off it they would have gone for it.

[pietasterp]

Right, but keep in mind this could still happen (NBA/EA exclusivity)...The NFL/NFLPA deal was just rumors and whispered backroom dealings 8 months ago, and now all of a sudden they lowered the boom. I wouldn't be surprised if a year from now after much EA lobbying they announce a deal got done between them and EA. The discussions about exclusivity is where it all starts...

[Pared]

Woo hoo! Why not get an MLB thread started in here as well!

[Xaminor]

lol, I don't know why you're rubbing your hands, not everyone's going to sell out as the NFL did.

There's a lot going on with contracts and what not in the NBA right now as well, with only a year left in decisions to be made between the players and the association, so this could have something to do with it, but I really don't feel the NBA would go through with such a deal anyway.

Quote: Originally Posted by NYC_2K4

This is low ball tatics by EA! While it's very legal, it's a loser's mentality.

Exactly. It's like the team that doesn't punt because the coach has no faith in its Defense :thumbsup:

E. A. Ports! It's in the name.

[kbigsexy9]

the only reason they said no is b/c live does not have a hold on the market like madden does and so the nba would make more money having more titles out