New Xbox 360 console to hit market (Vol 8, Iss 24, pg 7) by Alicia Detweiler

On November 22nd, Microsoft will launch their next-generation video game system - the Xbox 360. Sports games are a large sector of video game sales and are always a steady source of revenue for game makers. New titles in each series come out every year and many fans spend anywhere from $20-50 just to own the lastest title in their favorite sport franchise.

Not only are sports video games a huge source of revenue, they also provide revenue for leagues, teams, and players' associations through licensing and likeness rights. Just a few months ago EA signed an exclusive rights deal with the NFL to be the only video game company to publish an NFL licensed football game. Take-Two (maker of popular 2k Sports titles) followed suit by signing a similar long-term agreement with Major League Baseball.