Sports Technology & Communications News from Around the World

Electronic Arts, an interactive entertainment software company, announced that the Premier League has named EA SPORTS as the officials sports technology partner and EA SPORTS will responsible for offering enhanced experience for EA’s football gamers and fans of the Barclays Premier League.

The partnership also calls for EA Sports to work with broadcasters to develop enhancements for match day broadcast analysis and increased fan interaction. This means broadcasters will be using EA Sports graphics, animations and interactive technology combined with real-time, real world data feeds as broadcast and commentary augmentations.  

The sports technology partnership includes a Player Performance Index in which EA SPORTS sponsors the Premier League’s Player Performance Index replacing Actim. EA SPORTS also publishes a weekly “Team of the Week” on the Site and stated that they are looking into ways that this might be integrated into their FIFA products. In addition to the Sports Technology Partnership agreement, EA SPORTS has also brought to notice that the Premier League and EA SPORTS have also agreed upon an extension to the electronic game license. 

Vice President of Football at EA SPORTS Matt Bilbey said that the Barclays Premier League, the most watched domestic football competition worldwide, delivers tremendous global exposure and direct access to one of the most passionate football audiences in the world. Partnering with the Premier League further establishes EA Sports and its FIFA franchise as the ultimate, authentic football gaming experience.  

Premier League Director of Sales and Marketing Richard Masters added that they are extremely pleased that EA SPORTS has had the foresight to enter into this exciting new partnership that will connect with Barclays Premier League fans in new and inventive ways. Fans have a thirst for statistics and information and that is something that the Premier League, working with EA SPORTS, will provide to a level not seen before in professional football.

EA SPORTS also publishes the FIFA football video games released annually under the EA SPORTS label. Last year’s entry, FIFA ‘10 is claimed to have become the fastest selling sports game in Europe on its release, selling 1.7 million copies in its first week. FIFA ‘11 is scheduled for release later this year.