Topic: Ea's Exclusivity Contract With The Nfl May Be Voided (Read 60 times)

KAGE360 · « **on:** March 02, 2006, 02:57:00 PM »

QUOTE

Read this before we go on:

What are the long-term ramifications for the league?
Barring a new CBA, the players either will be on strike or the owners will lock out the players in 2008. The union likely will decertify, and antitrust rules will apply. Also, the NFL draft will go away in 2008 as part of a clause inserted in the current CBA. Players coming out of college could be free agents, with no salary restrictions. Open negotiations, including those for rookies coming out of college, will leave it to the players to get what they can get.

Now, pay attention, cause this is a bit complicated. The current problems in the NFL between the league and the players associateion might make the EA/NFL contract void. This is because if the union decertifies, then anti-trust rules will apply. If this happens, then EA is out of luck. Antitrust laws would be in effect and the contract would be voided. EA signed a deal with both the NFLPA and NFL so at the least, other companies could use the players, but not the actual team names. Not a big deal really, since we know who they would be referring to.

Just to recap, the NFLPA may decertify itself in order to keep a lockout from occuring. This in essence will make antitrust laws apply. The NFLPA will decertify if no agreement is reached to extend the CBA. Keep an eye on this people, and keep your fingers crossed.

http://www.gamersrep....com/news/1574/

either way this may screw EA which is great lol. i just really want the 2k series to return, it has been the first football game i cared to play since tecmo bowl.

richie579 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2006, 03:07:00 PM »

please please please santa.....make this come true....we need some competition again....the NFL2K series on 360 would be unbelievable

John Deadly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2006, 03:07:00 PM »

QUOTE(KAGE360 @ Mar 2 2006, 05:04 PM)

either way this may screw EA which is great lol. i just really want the 2k series to return, it has been the first football game i cared to play since tecmo bowl.

whatever it takes to ends this dam EA monoply. Strike or lockout, bring it.

Deftech · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2006, 03:19:00 PM »

Nooooooo

I love EA!

what will I do without them!!!!

IPB Image

KAGE360 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2006, 03:51:00 PM »

i dont hold it against EA for buying the NFL rights because it was the NFL that put the lisence up for auction but that doesnt mean i have to be happy that EA won the buy-out. like i said before, i just want a new 2k game on the 360

miggidy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2006, 04:08:00 PM »

The question is, will Visual Concepts under a new publisher care to even take that route?
I know they've been looking into other possibilities, such as making a Football Legends title based on retired NFL players. This would certainly give VC an oppertunity to jump back in the game.

I'm going to try my best not to get overly excited about this. I don't want to be let down later

QUOTE(miky2waky @ Mar 3 2006, 12:11 AM)

dont get to exited....im sure ea tough of this and know what to do to keep the rights....and its probably not even going to happend....

You sure, or do you "hope"?

mathias · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2006, 10:56:00 AM »

real problem is no draft? what the hell?

Ray2Kay · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2006, 02:58:00 PM »

I PRAY TO GOD THIS LOCKOUT AND THE LICENSE THING HAPPEN.

daddy69 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:39:00 PM »

man, I don't want to get my hopes up. I don't like madden at all, I still find myself playing 2k3, 2k4 and 2k5.

JMan8108 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2006, 09:53:00 PM »

Dont get me wrong I love good football games but good god, if this happens NO FOOTBALL IN 2008. Ill take more years of madden i cant go without the real thing.

JMan8108 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2006, 10:37:00 PM »

QUOTE(mathias @ Mar 3 2006, 12:03 PM)

real problem is no draft? what the hell?

i know man, i dont think everyone here is that much into watching the real thing cuz honestly i couldnt give a crap if madden gets it for however many years but i just dont want the NFL to get jacked up. Im sure something will happen considering the players rep for the CBA has been gettting many calls from big name veterans about ending this and making an agreement.

VinnySem · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2006, 08:53:00 AM »

The NFLPA decertify? I think there's a better chance of the PS3 being released this weekend.

The Union would either accept whatever deal from the owners or get an independent arbitrator from Washington before decertifying and lose all their bargaining power.

Rubix42 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2006, 09:04:00 AM »

If this contract is not re-negotiated and extended, it wil be the end of the NFL as we know it. For those of you who do not watch football, you probably don't care.

If you watch football, image how bad it would be if any team can sign any player to any amount at any time. It will be like the NHL used to be. No true competition, teams would create dynasty's of amazing players, and no one will be able to compete with them.

smartygre1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2006, 10:45:00 AM »

QUOTE(VinnySem @ Mar 6 2006, 05:00 PM)

The NFLPA decertify? I think there's a better chance of the PS3 being released this weekend.

The Union would either accept whatever deal from the owners or get an independent arbitrator from Washington before decertifying and lose all their bargaining power.

Correct, this is never going to happen.

Nobody want the anti-trust laws to apply to the NFL, not the players or the owners. And for the record, the NFL has been granted relief from the anti-trust law in the past (when the NFC and AFC combined for instance), there would be no reason to re-instate the laws now.

The players and the owners are only about 4% apart on the big issue, money. There will be a draft and free agency as normal, although it may be delayed.

The NFL saw what the layoff did for hockey and won't allow that to happen.

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