• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 10, 2025

EA Sports Stumbles: Stock Plummets As Soccer Game Misses the Goal

Not long ago, Electronic Arts was enjoying the historic success of its resurrected college football game franchise. A surprising weakness in its soccer game, however, is leading to bigger corporate problems. 

EA Sports

A banner fall has quickly turned into a brutal winter for prominent video game developer Electronic Arts.

The longtime maker of games such as Madden NFL just weeks ago was basking in the glow of the runaway success of its resurrected franchise, College Football 25, which quickly became the best-selling sports video game in U.S. history. Success in the hypercritical world of video games, however, can often be fleeting and a more recent, downbeat report from EA has sent the company’s shares tumbling.

The company said in a preliminary quarterly earnings report this week that it is changing initial guidance for its fiscal year 2025 from mid-single-digit percentage growth in live service net bookings—a key element of how EA measures its corporate performance—to a similarly sized decline. Underperformance in EA Sports FC, its soccer game franchise that is a key pillar for the entire EA business globally, was cited as a key factor for the switch. 

That disclosure led to a nearly 17% fall in EA stock Thursday, the company’s worst one-day performance since 2008. Friday’s trading brought more downward pressure, with another dip of 1.7% to $116.56 per share. 

The downgraded corporate forecast “suggests to us that the company was caught off guard by the shortfall and isn’t certain about how to address it,” Wedbush analysts said in a research note. 

The company’s full third-quarter earnings report is scheduled for Feb. 4. 

EA Sports FC 25, the second installment of a soccer game fundamentally remade without FIFA licensing, had initially received decent reviews upon release last September. Performance issues, however, surfaced later, and EA released last week a game refresh that it called “the most significant mid-season gameplay overhaul we’ve ever made, based on your feedback.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist SZA and recording artist Kendrick Lamar perform during halftime Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Nike’s Huge Super Bowl: From Jalen Hurts to Kendrick and Serena

Kendrick Lamar wore Nikes in the halftime show; Serena Williams wore Converse.

Eagles Set to Host 2025 NFL Kickoff: Who Will Be Their Opponent?

Speculation begins on Philadelphia’s opponent for the 2025 kickoff game.

Chiefs to Make $17M Travis Kelce Decision After Super Bowl Loss

Kelce, 35, is the NFL’s highest-paid tight end.
opinion

Super Bowl Broadcast Review: Brady Steps Up, But Room to Grow

After a rocky rookie season, Brady needed to quickly establish himself in the biggest game he would call. He did so immediately.

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Still Dropping As Lodging Costs Soar

Prices have fallen by another 20% since Monday amid a local lodging crunch.
Kristin Juszczyk (left)
January 10, 2025

How Taylor Swift Turbocharged Kristin Juszczyk From Sewing Machine to Major NFL..

Several of the pieces sold out within the first day.
Jan 17, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the shoes of Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center.
January 23, 2025

China’s Anta Is Fastest-Growing Sneaker Brand on StockX

Nike broke off its shoe deal with Kyrie Irving in 2022.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Jun 20, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Detailed view of Nike Alphafly 3 racing flat at the Nike by Eugene store.
December 19, 2024

‘Stubbornly High’ Inventory Slowing New Nike CEO’s Turnaround Mission

The sportswear giant continues to discount its products heavily.
A line of Black Friday shoppers streams into the Nike Store at Tanger Outlets in Pooler.
November 29, 2024

Sportswear Giants Are Ready for Trump’s Tariffs This Time Around

Retailers cut their exposure to China when Trump imposed tariffs in 2018.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 5, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Hellen Obiri of Kenya celebrates after finishing first place in the NYC Marathon.
November 12, 2024

On Brand Posts Record Sales, Says It’s No Longer ‘Just a Running..

The Swiss company credited its full-price strategy for its stellar quarter.