[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by CHooe

So your best example of the commercialization of the NFL's on-the-field product is the final play of a game that not only didn't count, but one that has a pretty storied reputation over the past decade of being a joke? I challenge you to find a similar play in ANY of the 267 games played this year that counted.

How about the debacle at the Superbowl not having enough seats inside the stadium and charging $200 to show the game outside the stadium when other events like Wimbeldon do it for free? How about trying to push an additional 2 games through when the fans are against it and they are supposedly concerned about increases in player injuries? Commercialization and greed at its finest.

Quote: Originally Posted by CHooe

Also, the so-called "old-school NFL" has been partaking in exclusivity deals as long as I have been watching it, be it with jerseys, hats, video games, or what have you. This isn't something new or unexpected.

The exclusive agreements started in the early 2000s I believe. American Needle launched its lawsuit in 2004 shortly after Reebok got one of the first exclusives I remember. Hardly a long standing tradition of the NFL.

Quote: Originally Posted by CHooe

As far as questioning the fans as to what they wanted, I'd guess if you went to any average NFL fan who played football video games at the time of the exclusive license negotiation, he'd be much more comfortable with the NFL entering an exclusivity deal with EA Sports for the continuation of the ever-popular Madden franchise over any other alternative.

1 out of 5 NFL fans purchased NFL2k5 when there was a choice. Since 20% of their audience enjoyed that game, why would the NFL go exclusive at all? Because they don't care about fans any more than they do player safety. Money is all that matters.