John Madden, the man under whose name EA has sold more than 65 million copies of its Madden Football franchise, announced this morning that he is retiring to spend more time with his family. At 73 years old, the man has enjoyed more than 40 years as one of the most famous sports broadcasters in history. While this decision could hold ramifications for Electronic Arts, I am inclined to believe that we’ll be seeing Madden 2020 long after the man has left the limelight. Why? Because John Madden is the CocaCola of video game brands.
It’s not like John Madden was in the development studios helping work out the coding on the “Hit Stick”. He simply lent his name, in exchange for enormous paychecks, to a football game. Madden, despite John Madden’s vocal presence in the game, is no more about John Madden than it is about grass or lime. Over the past decade or so, I am sure John Madden cut literally every word in sports broadcasting, and thus I think the game could continue for some time, even without much in the way of new voiceover.
Yet after John Madden’s voice gets even older and more crackly, I believe the name will continue to sell football games to the legions of extremely loyal franchise fans, but then again, has there been a better time for EA to retire the Madden branding? They don’t compete with anyone for NFL gaming, thus giving them several years to find a new patriarch and establish that new brand.
So, things could be interesting for the EA football franchise.
My question for you is who would you pick, if you were bent on replacing John Madden?
Its not like Pat Summerall is much longer for this world than John. Personally, I think Terry Bradshaw 2010 has a special ring to it.
Source: CNN
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Could we see the return of John Elway football?
Not sure, but Good riddance to Madden…he hasn’t be RELEVANT as an “analyst” in YEARS…I’ve got audio of him FALLING ASLEEP DURING a Monday Night Football broadcast with Al Michaels…ON THE AIR!!
His actual interest in his own gaming franchise proably elicits a similar response from him.
You realise matt, that to many Europeans people falling asleep during American Football games is not surprising?
Still, and on topic, would be weird to not have a Madden game out there, even if you can find tape of him saying every required word, guess you would still need his permission to use them and his name. If he really doesn’t want to “work” anymore then he can with hold that permission.
Madden wasn’t a commentator in Madden 09, so that is not a pre-requisite for a Madden title.
@Whodini1
The same is true for Americans wtaching Euro-football.
Perhaps his removal as a commentator was a step in the direction of having a game with his name live on after he finished his career, which apparently, he just did.