he National Basketball Association today announced new non-exclusive licensing agreements with Electronic Arts Inc, Take-Two Interactive Software, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Midway Games, and Atari to continue to develop, publish and distribute NBA video games.

The new multiyear agreements, which begin in October 2005, provide fans with the most comprehensive and diverse video game offering in sports, with titles from multiple publishers. NBA video games will be available to fans in more than 100 countries and on more platforms than ever before, maximizing the reach of NBA video games around the world.

"This is a great day for NBA gamers," said Adam Silver, NBA Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer. "By partnering with the top developers of sports video games, our fans will be assured a broad and competitive selection of innovative products."

EA, Take-Two, Sony Computer Entertainment America and Midway will each have the rights to use NBA teams and current and retired NBA players in their NBA video game titles. The NBA will also work closely with each licensee to heavily promote the basketball video games with marketing and global branding through the league's various assets including NBA TV and NBA.com.