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An article on EA’s hockey website has explained the licensing problems that have been experienced lately.
Before the end of last season’s lockout, the NHL Hockey Players’ Association (NHLPA) had entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with EA that would begin in 2006. This agreement would allow EA to use NHL player names exclusively in the game. EA was planning to pay the NHPLA $44.2 million over six years.
When the NHL discovered this, they were not pleased. The NHL does not like exclusive licenses and was also displeased that the NHLPA would receive the majority of the money from EA. After learning of the agreement, the NHL stated that it would not extend EA’s existing license with the NHL (which allows EA to use team names and trademarks, etc) unless Take-Two Interactive was also to receive a license from the NHLPA.
At this point, the NHL is closing in on licensing deals with both EA and Take-Two.