FIFA Says it No Longer Wants One Party Controlling All the Rights - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 18 October 2021 / 2,070 Views
EA Sports is currently considering to rename its annual football series, FIFA, as it has been reported FIFA is looking to looking to more than double the price of the licensing fee of what EA Sports pays. Sources familiar with matter say FIFA is looking to charge more than $1 billion per four year World Cup cycle or $2.5 billion per decade.
FIFA, the global football governing body, has released a statement titled "FIFA set to widen gaming and esports portfolio" in which the company says it is no longer in favor giving out exclusive rights to one party.
"FIFA will adopt a new commercial positioning in gaming and eSports to ensure that it is best placed to make decisions that benefit all football stakeholders," reads the statement. "FIFA is bullish and excited about the future in gaming and eSports for football, and it is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights."
FIFA is working with a variety of developers, investors, and analysts to figure out a long-term view of gaming and eSports.
"Gaming and eSports are the fastest-growing media verticals on the planet, with new and diverse types of games launching continuously," said FIFA. "It is therefore of crucial importance for FIFA and its stakeholders to maximise all future opportunities for football and gaming fans.
"FIFA also has a duty to support its 211 member associations to fully capitalise on the inherent opportunities that have been emerging over the recent years. As part of this strategy, FIFA also commits to continuing to organise skill-based eSports tournaments under the umbrella of the recently launched FIFAe competition structure and consumer brand.
"The relationship and affinity that the gaming and eSports market has developed over time with the FIFA name clearly underscore that football-based gaming and the FIFA name are intrinsically intertwined.
Finally, FIFA has also determined that the overlaps between virtual sport and FIFA’s football competitions must be more closely aligned. In this respect, FIFA is excited about using the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup as platforms to launch and integrate exciting new games and eSports offerings."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
More Articles
"FIFA Says it No Longer Wants One Party Controlling All the Rights" - Unless you pay 1 billion, then it´s ok for one party.
That's the way I read this too. Might even be face-saving on FIFA's part, after EA refused to pay that much. As in, EA refused to pay us $1 billion every four years, so now we're claiming we never even wanted them to do so anyway.
Now they're both negotiating in the media.
Konami needs to jump on this. The NFL needs to follow suit.
My thoughts exactly, NFL should diversify the NFL license beyond just EA.
You hear that NFL? That's the sound of logic. Listen to it. It knows a thing or to.
I rather there isn't even more soccer games. But good for EA they will save 2.5B a decade =p
PES with FIFA license would be a real competition for EA FIFA.
