EA postpone Madden NFL 21 trailer due to Black Lives Matter protests

Posted on June 1, 2020

Madden fans were pumped to see the new Madden NFL 21 trailer tomorrow, but EA Sports has announced they will not be releasing the trailer just yet. The division of Electric Arts has decided to focus their energies instead on “actions we can take to drive change.”

The change they are referring to is in relation to George Floyd’s murder. His death, caused by police officers in Minneapolis, has sparked protests around the United States spurring African Americans and allys to demand that the mistreatment of people of colour ends.

EA Sports wrote in their Tweet this morning that they “stand with our African American/ Black community of friends, players, colleagues and partners.” Obviously EA shares the sentiment of protesters that it’s time for this mistreatment to end.

Though they have not been specific on what they are doing to be part of this change, EA Sports has not been afraid in the past to address things that are “bigger than a game.” In 2018, after a mass shooting took place at a Madden tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, EA set up “The Jacksokville Tribute” and contributed 1 million dollars. They encouraged others to donate via a GoFundMe page and raised an extra $283,000. All proceeds went to the victims and their families.

Madden 21 was officially announced in May during the Inside Xbox showcase with an August 2020 release date. The EA Play Live 2020 event, coming up on June the 12th, may be the revised trailer reveal date, though EA has not confirmed this.

Whether they do or don’t release the trailer, it will be interesting to see how EA Sports will take a stand against “the unjust treatment and systemic bias that is plaguing the nation and our world.” The EA Play Live 2020 event will go live on the 12th of June at 9am AEST.