The NFL cares very little how good or bad Madden is. They get their licensing cash, and as long as Madden doesn't do anything to make people look down on the NFL (suspensions, blatant late hits, concussions....) The NFL is perfectly happy as is.
The NFL didn't approach EA for the exclusive license...EA approached them several years in a row. The NFL didn't agree to the licensing deal until 2k put out NFL 2k5 at 20 dollars, which pissed EA off. The NFL also felt this hurt them because they would lose licensing revenue at 20 bucks per game. So, the **** deal was done, and WE have paid for it ever since.
As for the post above about MUT....absolutely spot on!!
Madden has morphed into something that resembles NFL football less and less every year, and the time is coming where they won't even NEED the NFL license anymore because it'll be fictional characters across the board. Of course, they'll keep the license, because God knows they don't want any competition to the garbage they're putting out today.
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