Madden NFL 23 has generated over $600 million in revenue in just its first two months since launch in August 2022. This makes it one of the highest grossing video game launches of 2022, continuing the massive financial success of EA‘s leading NFL football franchise. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the specifics behind Madden 23’s financial windfall and examine the money-making powerhouse that the Madden series has become over 30+ years.
Madden 23 By The Numbers: A Blockbuster Launch for EA
Within its first week, Madden NFL 23 sold 1.7 million copies in the U.S. across console and PC platforms, according to NPD Group. At an average price of $60, that equates to $102 million in opening week sales in America alone.
Factoring in continued sales since launch, performance across higher-priced special editions, and international sales, it is estimated that Madden 23 generated over $350 million within its first month.
Furthermore, NPD reported that consumer spending on Madden 23 content post-launch, including extra content like Ultimate Team player packs, exceeded $90 million in the first month.
Combining first month game sales ($350 million) and in-game content revenues ($90 million), Madden 23 has likely earned over $440 million globally since it launched on August 19, 2022.
Now over two months into its release, reasonable estimates peg the total gross revenue from Madden 23 at well over $600 million and counting. At this pace, it is poised to become the highest selling and highest grossing entry in franchise history.
Unpacking Madden 23’s Stunning Financial Success
Several factors have contributed to Madden 23 quickly becoming a financial juggernaut for Electronic Arts:
-
Strong Opening Sales: 1.7 million units sold in the first week in the U.S. alone, the highest first week sales for any game in 2022 so far. This generated over $100 million upfront.
-
Series Momentum: Madden entries have been annual bestsellers for over two decades. Madden 22 sold 5+ million copies in its first five months and Madden 23 is on pace to beat it.
-
Live Service Profits: Recurring spending from Ultimate Team game modes accounted for over $90 million of Madden 23 earnings one month after launch. This recurring revenue stream keeps growing.
-
Price Hikes: The new-gen console editions for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S increased to $70, $10 more than last generation versions. Higher price points bring bigger revenue.
-
Lack of Competition: EA’s exclusive NFL and NFLPA licenses prevent rival publishers from making competing football games, allowing Madden to dominate annual sales.
Madden 23 clearly demonstrates the unique money-making power of EA’s leading sports gaming franchise. Both immediately through blockbuster opening sales, and long-term via live service revenue streams, Madden brings in cash.
The Billion Dollar Backstory: Madden’s Rise to the Top of the Gaming Industry
The financial success of Madden 23 continues an amazing legacy that has made Madden the highest-revenue franchise in all of sports gaming over the last three decades.
Since the original John Madden Football debuted in 1988 for the Apple II home computer, the series has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon and sales giant. Some key numbers:
-
130 million copies sold lifetime across 30+ years
-
Over $7 billion in total franchise revenue
-
$600 million in annual revenue on average recently
No other football, or sports game franchise comes close to matching Madden’s lifetime sales and profits. For perspective, EA’s FIFA Soccer franchise has amassed around 325 million sales since 1993. The NBA 2K series has sold about 122 million copies total since 1999.
John Madden’s Windfall: How Much the Legend Earned from His Namesake Franchise
The late Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden was the most prominent face of the Madden franchise until his passing in late 2021. EA’s exclusive license of his name and likeness proved incredibly lucrative over the last 30+ years.
It’s estimated John Madden earned between 2 to 3 million dollars per year from EA specifically for his licensing agreement. On top of that, he likely earned royalty payments based on game sales milestones.
Per Celebrity Net Worth, when John Madden died in 2021 he had accrued a personal net worth of approximately $200 million. The vast majority of his wealth came from earnings related to the video game franchise.
Had Madden never lent his name and likeness to EA’s football franchise back in the late 1980s, his net worth would have been a fraction of the $200 million he ended up amassing largely through this video game deal.
EA’s NFL Exclusivity Deal: Locking Down Dominance
One of the key factors behind the enduring popularity and sales dominance of the Madden franchise is Electronic Arts’ exclusive licensing rights with the NFL and NFL Players Association.
This exclusive license prevents other publishers from making NFL simulation football games with real teams, players, and stadiums. Competitors have been effectively locked out since 2005, when EA secured exclusivity from the NFL.
According to reports, EA is paying approximately $2 billion total over the current 7 year exclusivity agreement which runs from 2021-2028. That breaks down to around $300 million per year as the licensing fee to the NFL.
This allows the Madden development team unmatched authenticity year after year in bringing digital NFL experiences to life. While costly, it’s clearly a wise investment for EA, given Madden consistently brings in almost double that amount in annual revenue.
What Does the Future Hold for Madden’s Money Machine?
With the incredible momentum built up by Madden 23, the franchise seems poised to continue printing money for EA for years to come through several key avenues:
-
Strong Annual Sales: Consistently generating over $600 million yearly from annualized releases
-
Live Services: Recurring revenues from Ultimate Team and other game modes will keep rising
-
New Platforms: Entry into mobile and free-to-play could tap into wider audiences
-
International Growth: Global expansion is still a major opportunity, especially in markets like China
-
Legacy Leverage: Continued monetization of 30+ years of content and brand equity
Barring any major shakeups, the future looks bright for the financial juggernaut that is Madden, with many more years of big money likely ahead.
Conclusion: Madden Reigns Supreme as EA’s Money Monster
The numbers speak for themselves – Madden 23 has already earned over $600 million after just two months, continuing the massive financial success of EA’s football gaming empire. With over $7 billion in lifetime sales, no sports gaming franchise comes close to the money-making power of Madden. It stands tall as EA’s biggest and most valuable property. Thanks to its exclusive NFL license blocking off competitors and its ever-growing base of multi-generational fans, Madden is ready to keep breaking sales and profit records for many seasons ahead.
