2K SPORTS EXPRESSES INTERESTS IN GETTING A FIFA LICENSE, PUSHING EA OUT
In the wake of a contract stalemate with EA, FIFA has begun to field offers for the licencing of its name, and as EA prepares to move on, 2K Sports is eyeing the opportunity.
FIFA appears to be taking their talents elsewhere, according to Polygon, as EA files for a new trademark under the name EA Sports FC.
Following talks between the two companies about compensation for the soccer juggernaut franchise, it appears that neither has budged on what is fair for both parties. This is surprising, given that FIFA is the most popular sports franchise in gaming, and losing their licence could be disastrous for EA. To stay a part of the gaming behemoth EA, the federation is said to want $1 billion every four years.
FIFA has demonstrated its desire to create a space in Esports that is not ‘ruled’ by a single body, but rather encourages healthy competition. “The future of gaming and eSports for football stakeholders requires more than one party controlling and exploiting all rights,” according to their website, which could or could not be a reference to their dealings with EA.
As these talks stall, EA has filed for a new trademark with the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office, demonstrating their willingness to move forward without the soccer federation’s support. With the FIFA franchise on the table, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick tried to avoid answering the question of whether 2K was interested in the franchise.
When reporters pressed him again, he responded as follows: “That’s a big step forward for us… we’ve never done anything like that before.” VGC reports, “And erm, I think I’ll leave it at that today.” With previous sports franchises such as NHL 2K and NBA 2K being well-received by fans, the sports gaming scene could be anticipating a FIFA 2K in the near future.
Because nothing official has been announced, fans will have to wait for more information. The FIFA franchise has been a huge success, and if the EA marriage falls apart, more than just 2K Sports will be interested.