FIFA Will No Longer Be Exclusive to EA Sports

FIFA is ending its long-term exclusive partnership with Electronic Arts as it looks to widen its gaming and esports portfolio.

The two parties first struck a deal in 1993 that will expire in 2022. FIFA is reportedly seeking more than double its current $150 million annual licensing fee.

FIFA’s statement, in part: “It is clear that this needs to be a space that is occupied by more than one party controlling all rights.”

The organization added that it will be in a better position to serve its 211 member associations as they take advantage of emerging opportunities in gaming and soccer.

• The “FIFA” series is estimated to be worth more than $2 billion annually to EA.
• Since its October 2020 release, “FIFA 21” has more than 31 million players.
• “FIFA 22” already has 9.1 million players following its global release on Oct. 1.
• More than 140 million people have played EA Sports titles over the last 12 months.

EA posted $1.6 billion in revenue in fiscal Q1, slightly up from $1.5 billion in the same period a year prior.

The results were driven by the company’s live services segment, which generated $1.2 billion in revenue for the quarter. EA is projected to pocket $6.85 billion in revenue in FY 2022.