Madden Retirement to Have No Effect on EA Sports

EA Releases Statement on Heels of Announcement

John Madden’s retirement from television broadcasting will have no impact on his work with the long running Madden NFL franchise, according to an Electronic Arts statement released yesterday.

The assurance came shortly on the heels of Madden stepping down from the NBC television broadcast booth yesterday.  Madden worked at all four U.S. television networks calling American football, and his name and likeness slapped on the cover of EA’s football franchise has turned a twenty year franchise into the core of the company’s success in games.

“(Electronic Arts) continues its strong relationship with John Madden and will continue to produce new versions EA SPORTS Madden NFL with John’s collaboration,” the company said.

In addition, EA Sports head Peter Moore issued a separate statement on the matter, and he said:

John is a true sports icon who has made an indelible impact on the sport of football which will be felt forever. His prolific coaching and broadcasting careers, as well as his distinct role in shaping the EA SPORTS football experience have redefined how multiple generations have come to know and love the sport with unrivaled passion. We’re excited to see his legacy live on in the 21st year of Madden NFL football, and well beyond. It’s been a privilege for EA SPORTS to have had the strong relationship we’ve had with John for more than two decades and one that will continue into the future.

So, don’t worry football fans, you can still make “a heck of a play,” in Madden’s words, when Madden 2010 is released this August.