EA just sent word letting us know that they continue to hold an iron grip on the National Football League license. EA will continue to be the sole company that can produce any type of official NFL games up until the year 2013, marking the end of the 2012 season:

Both agreements include all aspects of the interactive experience,
including console and handheld games as well as console-based online
features.  The agreements also provide EA access to both NFL Films and
the NFL Network to enrich its game experiences.  Financial terms of the
agreements were not disclosed.

I can't help but wonder how much EA has paid to keep the exclusivity. I also can't help but wonder how much of that money goes to keeping Madden alive. Seriously, I'm starting to think Madden is some sort of a cyborg zombie demon ...

Hit the jump for the PR and please let us know how much more evil this makes EA.

[Fun fact: GTA 2, Ghost Recon Advance Warfighter and Escape From LA all take place in the year 2013! Destructoid: Providing you with completely useless trivia since 2006.]

EA EXTENDS INTERACTIVE VIDEOGAME AGREEMENTS

WITH NFL AND NFL PLAYERS

Exclusive Agreements Renewed Through 2012 Season

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - February 12, 2008 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq:
ERTS) today announced an extension of its exclusive licensing
relationships with the National Football League and NFL PLAYERS to
develop, publish and distribute interactive football video games.  These
agreements - which were negotiated separately and are extensions of
contracts originally signed in December 2004 - provide EA continued
rights to NFL teams, stadiums and players for its critically-acclaimed
and best-selling football videogames through the end of the 2012 season,
which culminates in February 2013.

Both agreements include all aspects of the interactive experience,
including console and handheld games as well as console-based online
features.  The agreements also provide EA access to both NFL Films and
the NFL Network to enrich its game experiences.  Financial terms of the
agreements were not disclosed.

"This is all about bringing authenticity and realism to NFL videogames,"
said Eric Grubman, President of NFL Ventures.  "EA SPORTS continually
works to maintain the cutting edge for NFL products across a variety of
gaming platforms.  We like the fact that they never rest."

"This is great news and it means we can continue to produce the best
interactive experience possible.  It also allows NFL PLAYERS, the NFL
and EA to continue to build our brands," said Gene Upshaw, Chairman of
NFL PLAYERS and Executive Director of the National Football League
Players Association.  "We offer a very unique experience. "

"We are excited about the opportunity to extend and expand our
relationships with the NFL and NFL PLAYERS," said Peter Moore, President
of EA SPORTS(tm). "For nearly two decades, EA SPORTS has been bringing
sports fans closer to the great game of football through the
breakthrough interactive experiences of our videogames.  Game quality is
our top priority, and we're committed to pushing our gameplay
innovation, connecting football fans via rich online experiences and
delivering the most visually stunning sports games on the market."

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2008, EA's Madden NFL franchise has
consistently been one of the videogame industry's best-selling and
top-rated products, generating more than $2 billion in retail sales.
Madden NFL 08 earned awards from the 2007 Game Critics Awards at the E3
Media and Business Summit, The SpikeTV Video Game Awards, and the
GameSpot Readers Choice Awards last year.  The game is available on the
PLAYSTATION(r)3 and PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment systems, Xbox
360(tm) and Xbox(r) videogame and entertainment systems from Microsoft,
Nintendo DS(tm), Wii(tm), PC, PSP(r) (PlayStation(r)Portable) handheld
entertainment system, mobile handsets and Mac.  EA also produces the
arcade-football game NFL Tour which hit stores in January 2008, and NFL
Head Coach, which was released in 2006.  EA SPORTS recently hosted
Madden Bowl XIV in Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of Super Bowl XLII
festivities.

Both agreements grant exclusive rights for action simulation,
arcade-style and manager games on the PC, handheld game devices and
consoles.