PlayStation Almost Owned FIFA in the 90s, According to Former EA VP

In a recent interview, Tom Stone, EA’s former vice president of European marketing, revealed that back in the 90s, FIFA could have ended up being a PlayStation exclusive instead of being owned by EA. Stone explained that prior to the renewal of the FIFA license in 1997, he had a meeting with Chris Deering, the president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe at the time. Deering informed Stone that Sony had been offered the rights by ISL, who handled FIFA licensing at that time, without EA’s knowledge.

“Chris Deering met with me and said, ‘We’ve been offered the rights to FIFA Soccer’. I said, ‘You have got to be effing joking. Seriously? ISL has approached you and asked if you would like an exclusive worldwide license for FIFA? After everything we’ve done for them?'” Stone recalled.

However, Deering turned down the offer, stating, “I will not sign that deal unless you can’t come to terms with FIFA. That’s your deal. You created that.”

Stone speculated that Deering may have considered the strong support EA gave PlayStation when making this decision.

While it’s impossible to know how things would have played out if Sony had accepted the offer, Stone believed that EA would not have taken it well. “EA would have responded quite badly,” he said.

Latest Release: EA Sports FC 24

On the topic of FIFA games, the article mentions that EA Sports recently released its latest soccer game, EA Sports FC 24, at the end of last month. The game is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. This title marks the studio’s first soccer game following its split from the FIFA name and branding.

Looking for New Games?

If you’re on the lookout for new game recommendations, don’t forget to check out our lists of the best PS5 games and best PC games.