I think it's just simple negotiations for EA/NFL. I can't see why EA wouldn't want exclusivity. Yes, 300 mil per year is a ton of money but apparently EA turns a nice profit with Madden.
The NFL probably wants to increase the licensing deal in line with the broadcasting rights increase. The broadcasting rights more than doubled to 1 billion a year a few years ago so the NFL probably is looking for something in the 500 million range.
If EA is drawing a ton of revenue with MUT, just realeased one of the best selling sports games ever, and otherwise has a great relationship with the NFL, they would just want to keep the gravy train going and it's understandable to balk at a massive exclusivity proce increase.
2K complicates everything because if their willing to spend 300-400 mil per year for a non-exclusive deal, the NFL would be silly not to offer the non-exclusive deal to both EA and 2K. Having EA and 2K at 300 mil a piece is just too much more lucrative than having EA at just 500 mil.
Puts EA in a tough spot because do they pay what the NFL wants and hold their market share? I think they do cave and get exclusivity again.
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