That deal previously encompassed any kind of league-licensed video game, which is why EA was able to make 2012’s arcade-style title NFL Blitz (after acquiring the brand from the defunct Midway Games). The new contract with 2K is only possible because of a change in the terms of the NFL’s arrangement with EA.

It’s a very interesting time for the NFL to sign a licensing deal with another game publisher. In recent years, 2K has been expanding its footprint in the sports market, inking publishing deals for titles like HB Studios’ The Golf Club 2019 and the aforementioned NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

2K Sports released All-Pro Football 2K8, its first and only football game after 2004’s beloved ESPN NFL 2K5, in 2007 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

But that’s exactly what it did more than a decade ago, after EA snatched up the exclusive rights to make NFL-licensed titles in late 2004. It seems unlikely that 2K would bother making football video games without the rights to current NFL players as well as the real teams. A representative for 2K said the company could not comment on whether such a deal was in place. The two sets of rights are typically handled separately, and indeed, an NFL spokesperson told Polygon that 2K would need to sign a licensing agreement with the NFL Players Association in order to use real, current NFL players in its upcoming video games. It’s worth noting that 2K’s deal with the NFL only covers the names, logos, and associated elements for the league and its 32 teams - not the names, images, and likenesses of any NFL players. All-Pro Football 2K8 featured retired NFL players like Johnny Unitas (left) and Walter Payton because 2K couldn’t use current ones.

Madden 2004 pc wont start