If Microsoft bought Take 2 before the EA/NFL Exclusive deal...

[gsr888]

Would EA still of gotten the NFL Exclusive licence?

I can see after this EA deal expirying, first party developers will be able to use the license once again. But the only 3rd party allowed would be EA.

This won't be until 5 years from now on new consoles once again. Ever think that Microsoft might think of buying Take 2?

That would piss off EA, they would probably stop producing games for 360 all together. Vice Versa for Miscrosoft than.

[Triggerfish]

That's only IF the NFL does not want to renew...if sales are going through the roof every year.....why wold not the NFL just sign EA again? I guess we will see in 5 years. MS does not care about sports games..it would buy for GTA not Madden.

[LBzrule]

Microsoft could have gotten the licensce easily but it would force them to compromise to develop for competing consoles. In other words an NFL game could not be Xbox exclusive. They would have had to develop for Sony ect.