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How Will The NFL Lockout Affect Madden 12?
As the lockout caused by the labor dispute between NFL owners and players continues, analysts are starting to speculate as to how a possible cancellation of the upcoming NFL season would affect EA Sports's Madden NFL 12.
The short version: it would be bad for both EA and its storied football franchise.
In a story that Hollywood Reporter ran today, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter feels an extended suspension of the NFL season could have a big negative impact on Madden 12 sales.
“It’s still too early to call, since the lockout is happening in March and Madden launches in August,” Pachter said. “That’s a lot of time to fix things, although most commentators don’t sound very optimistic. My guess is that a complete cancellation of the NFL season would cost Madden around 50 percent of sales, and a delay of the season would be far less impactful. If the season is only delayed a week or two and fans aren’t alienated, there would be only a very small impact; if delayed through Thanksgiving (when the holiday selling season begins in earnest), the impact would be far greater.”
The good news for football fans is that Madden NFL 12 is the one place you're guaranteed some football action this fall. EA Sports spokesman Rob Semsey has promised the game will be released as scheduled. Semsey vowed, "Fans of Madden NFL will not have their seasons interrupted regardless of when the labor issues are resolved.
EA Sports is scheduled to release Madden NFL 12 in August.
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