For several months now, we've heard that EA has been looking into renaming its FIFA football series (that's soccer for you US folk). Last October, EA officially said so themselves, as the company stated it was "reviewing our naming rights agreement with FIFA". While we've not heard anything concrete since, that move is still looking likely.
A new report on VentureBeat says that EA is still "likely to replace 'FIFA' name", although we're not sure when exactly. In short, the report says that EA no longer wants to grant huge portions of its profit to the footballing organization, and is looking at going with 'EA Sports FC'.
However, don't expect the move this year. VGC editor Andy Robinson took to Twitter to discuss these rumours, saying that this year's game will still be FIFA 23. According to VGC, EA's deal with FIFA still covers one more game, which would be this year's release.
What happens beyond FIFA 23 remains to be seen, but clearly, EA is keen to shed the weight of the FIFA brand. Whether ditching the name will prove a successful move remains to be seen.
Would you like to see EA drop FIFA from its football series? Or is the game itself the only important thing to you? Let us know your thoughts below.
[source venturebeat.com]
Comments 8
I bet FIFPRO 24
Will others be able to pick it up and essentially release a non EA develloped Fifa ‘24? EA will have to compete against what others have failed to do so. Mainstream buyers who only care about a brandname.
@homme_parametre FIFPRO is affiliated with FIFA, they won't make that deal.
Like the article says, they will go with a non-partnership name. They don't need the partnership.
@Lupaie79
That's the thing, if another dev picks up the FIFA branding, EA will need to educate casuals that the new FIFA 24 is not what they'll be expecting
It might be better for all we know with a new team behind it but to the casuals, it'll be different and 'not FIFA'
EA need to promote the fact that "EA Sports FC '24" is essentially the new FIFA
I'd imagine EA would love to be able to get a deal whereby nobody else can use the name for a couple of years but if that's not already part of any end of contract agreement, i can't see FIFA turning down the $$$ from a new developer
@VOODOO85 agreed. I think it will be as with the motogp capcom>milestone and f1 ea>codemasters
@LuckyKant
FIFPro is a trade union recognized by FIFA, it is not affiliated.
NHLPA was the former name of the NHL franchise a long time ago... so
@homme_parametre
Wasn't there an affiliation deal back in 2009, when they started to merge awards? Swear I remember that.
@VOODOO85
Only one current target: eFootball (Pes) getting the rights, which is possible.
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