Gamertell

The master of on-screen scribbling, pre-calling plays and devouring multi-legged turkeys has finally retired from broadcast announcing. Some will miss him. Others think this day should have come a lot sooner.

Regardless of the side you fall off that fence, it’s hard to deny the success of the games that bear the John Madden name. The Madden franchise of football games, as NPR reported today (April 17, 2009), has made more money than all the James Bond films.

Madden retired from field activities in 1979 as the coach of the Oakland Raiders, then becoming a broadcaster and starring in several commercials. With this announcement, Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009 will be Madden’s final official broadcasting appearance. Now 73, he’s leaving in the middle of a 6-year contract (worth approximately $5 million per year) to spend more time with his family.

Good news for gamers, however. According to the New York Times, “Madden will continue his work with EA Sports.” That likely means we can plan to see more Madden NFL games for many more years. (Grandaddy’s gotta pay for all those gold-plated gifts to his grandchildren somehow).

According to Business Week, an unnamed EA spokesperson said, “Madden has a long-term contract with the company. EA will continue to work with John, as they have for the past two decades, on the making of the Madden NFL game. That will not change any time soon.”

Likewise, EA Sports’ Peter Moore released the following statement, “John’s 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.”

The Madden NFL franchise celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008, at that time having sold more than 70 million units. As EA Sports president Peter Moore told USA Today in 2008, “We don’t so much as launch Madden any more, we celebrate its arrival.” Certainly, since most years the game’s release usually breaks the previous sales record.

Read [New York Times] Also Read [USA Today] Also Read [Business Week]