The NFL Owners are set to vote on the continuation of a licensing exclusivity deal with EA Sports next week. The deal would lock in the Madden franchise as the exclusive home of the virtual NFL through the 2026 season.
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Senior NFL Reporter Albert Breer detailed the specifics of the agreement on Twitter: "People have asked if EA Sports' deal will be exclusive. Here's the language: 'the exclusive right to manufacture, market and distribute NFL-themed realistic action simulation video games.'
"Rights are non-exclusive on 'arcade-style games, youth games, and casual/mobile games.'"
2K Sports announced they've reached a multiyear agreement with the NFL in March; however, no specifics regarding the type of games 2K aims to make have been released.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained the context surrounding the situation this week writing, "EA Sports absorbed plenty of criticism for shutting down the 2K series, which many gamers preferred to Madden. There also have been concerns that the lack of competition has prompted EA to become complacent when it comes to innovating the Madden game."
EA first purchased exclusive rights to produce NFL games in 2004. Prior to that, both companies released NFL games annually.
The vote will take place during next week's virtual owners meeting.
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Several Popular Films Were Removed From Disney+ Including "Home Alone"
A number of films are disappearing from Disney+.
Home Alone, The Sandlot and a handful of other popular films on Disney+ have been removed from the service, leaving fans angry and confused.
The main reason for the confusion comes in response to a statement made to Comicbook.com in November 2019. A Disney Plus spokesperson said, “there will not be a ‘rotating slate’ of licensed movies each month […] With Disney Plus, beloved classics from the Disney vault will now stream in a permanent home, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King — the entire 13-film Signature Collection — all available on day one.” Hence the confusion.
A spokesperson for Disney+ confirmed to Gizmodo that a select number of titles did leave the service, but because of legal issues relating to legacy deals, not a rotating slate of content. The spokesperson also stated that the titles would return shortly as soon as the licenses expire. For now, the films will have to be rented elsewhere.
The full list of films removed from Disney+ is below.
Home Alone
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
The Sandlot
Dr. Dolittle
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.
