EA and the NFL have announced a multi-year renewal of their partnership that guarantees the continuation of their Esports league, the Madden NFL Championship Series (MCS).
The companies didn't specify exactly how long the partnership had been renewed for but they did announce that the previous year's MCS season proved immensely successful as it saw a four times increase for its average minute audience year over year.
The MCS will be aligned with the actual NFL season as a result of the continued partnership, meaning the Esports championship, the Ultimate Madden NFL 23 Bowl, will take place during the week of Super Bowl LVII. The finals include a prize pool of $1 million in addition to another $700,000 available throughout the season.
"Madden NFL esports continues to deepen the love of the game with fans, players, and viewers. It’s teaching viewers how to improve at the game, while deepening engagement with Madden’s most loyal fanbase," said VP of EA Esports Brent Koning. "Since the MCS started five years ago, it has helped showcase the game by elevating the greatest players in the world, while giving every single Madden NFL player the chance to go from couch to champion."
Ed Kiang, vice president of video gaming at the NFL, also added: "Extending our partnership with EA is another avenue for the league to grow fandom off the field and enhance the EA Sports Madden NFL Championship Series by aligning Madden competitive gaming with NFL moments."
Madden NFL 23 is just a week away from its August 19 release date and EA has promised it has serious upgrades to its franchise mode and long-awaited gameplay changes (and that the game will actually work).
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.