NBA announces new agreements with Take-Two Interactive and EA
by:
Russell
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posted:
5/23/2011 11:23:00 AM
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The NBA has announced new multiyear agreements with Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and Electronic Arts Inc., which will allow both companies to continue developing, publishing, and distributing NBA video games. Check out the official press release for more info.
ELECTRONIC ARTS
- New Multiyear Agreements to Continue Providing Fans with Diverse NBA
Video Games on Multiple Platforms -
NEW YORK, May 23, 2011 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today
announced new multiyear agreements with Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
(NASDAQ: TTWO) and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), extending the
league’s longstanding relationship with each company to continue to
develop, publish, and distribute NBA video games.
The new agreements will provide fans with a diverse offering of NBA video
games, including 5-on-5 simulation and arcade style games that will be
available on video game consoles, online, and through mobile devices.
“We have had successful and longstanding relationships with both 2K Sports
and EA SPORTS,” said Sal LaRocca, Executive Vice President of NBA Global
Merchandising. “Extending our agreements with the top sports video game
developers continues to maximize our presence in this category, while
ensuring our fans the best selection of NBA video games.”
Take-Two and EA will each have the rights to use NBA teams and players in
their NBA video game titles. Throughout the agreements, the league will
work closely with Take-Two and EA to promote the basketball video games
through global marketing, promotional programs, and multiple assets
including NBA TV, NBA.com, and grassroots events.
Take-Two
Take-Two, an NBA licensee since 1999 and with the new agreement, an
official marketing partner of the NBA, will continue to publish the NBA 2K
franchise through its 2K Sports publishing label. NBA 2K, a 5-on-5
simulation which originally debuted in 1999, will be released on a yearly
basis on all leading video game platforms.
This year, NBA 2K 11 which features Michael Jordan on the cover, has sold
more than five million units to date, a record for the NBA 2K franchise.
“We’re pleased to extend our successful relationship with the NBA, that
will allow 2K Sports to continue to innovate the basketball video game
category with our critically acclaimed NBA 2K franchise,” said Jason
Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “Our partnership
ensures that we can continue to marry innovative gameplay with the
authenticity of the NBA that today’s sports fans demand.”
Along with the acclaimed NBA 2K franchise, 2K Sports will have the
opportunity to explore and develop new NBA licensed gaming opportunities,
including online on social media platforms.
Electronic Arts
EA, an NBA licensee since 1991, will debut a new 5-on-5 NBA simulation
title in fall 2012. The game is being developed at EA Tiburon in Orlando.
EA SPORTS originally unveiled their simulation game, NBA LIVE in 1995.
Along with a new simulation game, EA will continue to publish their
arcade-style video game franchise EA SPORTS NBA JAM. The latest edition,
NBA JAM: On Fire Edition is being developed for the PlayStation®3 computer
entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, and
it will be available on PlayStation® Network and Xbox LIVE® Arcade this
fall. EA SPORTS revived NBA JAM, the popular arcade game from the early
1990’s, in October 2010.
“We’re pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with the NBA,” said
Jordan Edelstein, Vice President of Marketing, EA SPORTS. “With our
all-new digital download of NBA JAM coming this fall and a new simulation
title in development for release next year, we have a strong lineup of
innovative NBA titles coming soon from EA SPORTS.”
About the NBA
The NBA, founded in 1946, is a professional sports league and global
business that features 30 teams in the United States and Canada. During
the 2010-11 season, NBA games will reach 215 countries and territories in
more than 40 languages. Official NBA rosters currently feature 85 players
from 41 countries and territories. NBA merchandise is sold in more than
125,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA.com averages more
than 26 million page views per day, with more than 50 percent of the site’s
visitors coming from outside of North America. The NBA is the No. 1 U.S.
sports league on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, with the most fans,
followers, and videos viewed on each, respectively. Through NBA Cares, the
league, its teams and players have donated more than $160 million to
charity, completed more than 1.7 million hours of hands-on community
service, and created more than 605 places where kids and families can live,
learn, or play.
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