EA Signing the Premier League

Electronic Arts (EA) is reportedly on the verge of signing a six-year deal worth £488 million ($660 million) with the English Premier League (EPL). The new deal is expected to bring in more than £80 million annually and would allow EA to retain the rights to popular teams such as Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The strength of the EPL, which is the most profitable league in the world, has made it a valuable target for EA. The company recently lost the FIFA license and renamed its soccer game as EA Sports FC, but it has signed deals with hundreds of teams, athletes, and leagues. EA’s FIFA series has been a major source of revenue for the company, mainly due to its heavily-monetized FIFA Ultimate Team mode. The lack of licensing restrictions is expected to offer the series more creative freedom.