EA’s New Deal With NFL and What It Means for 2K

Reported by Ari Meirov, who confirmed that the extended agreement secures EA’s exclusive NFL simulation rights well into the next decade.

What the New EA Sports NFL Deal Includes

According to reports, the new EA Sports NFL deal means EA will remain the exclusive provider of all official NFL simulation video games through 2030, including the Madden NFL franchise. The expanded partnership will also introduce new interactive experiences beyond traditional gaming — covering new genres, esports initiatives, and integrated broadcast tie-ins like the MaddenCast.

For gamers, that’s both good and bad news. On one hand, it secures Madden’s future and ensures football fans have a consistent experience each year. On the other, it also signals that the lack of competition — which many argue has slowed innovation — will continue for at least another half-decade.

What It Means for the 2K Football Franchise

But what does this mean for the beloved NFL 2K franchise? The series hasn’t released a simulation football game since All-Pro Football 2K8 in 2007 — and before that, the iconic NFL 2K5 in 2004. With the renewed EA deal covering simulation-style games, 2K can only develop non-simulation football titles. However, that “non-sim” terminology has never been clearly defined publicly.

That ambiguity leaves room for interpretation but little optimism. While in theory 2K could still create an arcade-style NFL game, there have been no public details about such a project. To make matters worse, NFL 2K Playmakers — 2K’s mobile, card-based football game — was shut down on June 30, 2025, after roughly a year of service. Its closure means 2K’s only active NFL-branded game is officially off the field.

The Road Ahead for Football Gamers

As of now, the future of 2K’s football division remains uncertain. EA’s extended partnership cements Madden’s monopoly for simulation football through the end of the decade, leaving 2K fans once again on the sidelines — waiting, hoping, and maybe even dreaming of a comeback that seems further away than ever.

Because for fans of the NFL 2K series… patience has become part of the game.