Following EA Sports losing the FIFA license and rebranding its football series as EA Sports FC, the FIFA brand became available. 2K Games, known for its highly acclaimed NBA 2K series, was rumored to be exploring the development of a new football game. Recently, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick provided insight into the situation.
CEO’s Critical Statement: Challenges for FIFA 2K
In a recent discussion, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the idea of a FIFA 2K game. When asked whether they would pursue the FIFA license, Zelnick acknowledged that numerous agreements are involved beyond just the brand name.
He noted that acquiring the FIFA license alone is not sufficient for creating a football game. Securing the license does not automatically include rights to players, teams, or leagues, and working with these entities is necessary. According to Zelnick, developing a true football simulation requires collaboration with organizations around the world.
In his statement, Zelnick emphasized, “I want to make it clear that the FIFA license does not come with rights; it does not include players, teams, or leagues. So it is not as simple as negotiating with the NFL, NBA, or MLB; you have to negotiate with at least one league and one players’ union.”
EA Sports has maintained various agreements for leagues like the Premier League and La Liga for years. Securing all these rights might be challenging for 2K Games.
On the other hand, Zelnick acknowledged that a new football simulation series could be highly lucrative. He noted that such a game could build a loyal fan base over many years of development.
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