The FIFA name is synonymous with one of the biggest sports game titles in the market, and now it might be changed.
Recently, in a press release, EA was tooting their own horn about how the sales of FIFA22 were “record breaking“, with 9 million players joining the game since its October 1 release.
However, there was this little bit of information down at the bottom that might change the whole outlook of what FIFA titles will be moving forward;
As we look ahead, we’re also exploring the idea of renaming our global EA SPORTS football games. This means we’re reviewing our naming rights agreement with FIFA, which is separate from all our other official partnerships and licenses across the football world.
EA Press Release, October 7 2021.
Before diving more into the possible rebrand and rename, lets take a look at what happens when you rename into a terrible game title;
When Konami renamed Pro Evolution Soccer (which fans refer to as PES) to eFootball, it was not something well-accepted by the gaming community.
Gaming website Kotaku went so far as to call the new name “dumb”.
Now lets dive back in to the FIFA game renaming: The deal between EA and the international footballing governing body, FIFA is being reexamined.
EA, in the same press statement said that they have over 300 individual license partners that include;
- Over 17,000 athletes in over 700 teams.
- Over 30 leagues worldwide in 100 stadiums.
Making the game is already an expensive undertaking. That is not even including the licensing, on top of the FIFA branding, that must cost a fortune for EA.
If the naming rights agreement changes, it is inevitable that the FIFA moniker will be dropped. In other words, while the game would be something fans expect from EA, the fresh FIFA wrapper might be torn off.
It will be interesting to see where EA will take negotiations with FIFA though, and if they really will go through with the rebrand.
