NFL to Host Inaugural Madden NFL 21 x HBCU Tournament Finals

16 Players Advance to Super Bowl Showcase

EA SPORTS Madden NFL players representing HBCUs across the country participated in a single elimination qualifier tournament for their school’s athletic conference in November 2020. The top four gamers from each HBCU conference – a total of 16 players – have now advanced to the Madden NFL 21 x HBCU Tournament ahead of Super Bowl LV. The Grand Prize winner will receive $5000. Runner ups in second and third place will each receive $2500. Watch live to learn more about the up-and-coming gamers from HBCUs.

WHAT: Madden NFL 21 x HBCU Tournament Finals Showcase
WHO: 16 top gamers from the following HBCUs: Alcorn State, Bowie State, Claflin University, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Fort Valley State, Grambling State, Jackson State, Kentucky State, Lane College, Morehouse College, Norfolk State, Prairie View A&M, Virginia Union, and Winston Salem University
WHERE: The final two rounds will be broadcasted on the EA Madden NFL Twitch channel
WHEN: Saturday, February 6, 2021, 7-9:30 p.m. EST

Available Quotes
“We are excited to continue finding new ways to engage Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This tournament has served as a connector for the top talent within the HBCU and gaming communities as well as provide them a platform to showcase their skills alongside our largest event of the year – the Super Bowl. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with
HBCUs and are committed to celebrating their contributions to the game.” –Natara Holloway, NFL VP Football Strategy and Business Development

“We’re honored to lead operations for this inaugural tournament,” said John Fazio, Founder and CEO of Nerd Street Gamers. “Our HBCU tournaments are pillars of progress that stand for the empowerment of equality and we’re proud to be aligned in the effort to make esports more
inclusive. Partnering with a prestigious organization like the NFL ensures that this opportunity will have a positive and lasting impact.” – John Fazio, Founder and CEO, Nerd Street Gamers

About the NFL HBCU Initiative
In May 2016, the NFL launched Strength of HBCUs, Impacting Pro Football Since 1948 in partnership with two prominent HBCU athletic conferences — the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The initiative has since expanded to also include other conferences and schools to recognize and strengthen its relationships with HBCUs across the country. Through these relationships, the NFL has
developed several HBCU-focused programs to educate and connect students to careers in football administration and the sports industry at large.

About Nerd Street Gamers
Nerd Street Gamers (NSG) is a national network of esports facilities and events dedicated to powering competitive opportunities for gamers. The company promotes greater access to the esports industry, laying a national framework for esports talent development and high-quality gaming tournaments. NSG has received backing from Five Below, Comcast Spectacor, SeventySix Capital, Elevate Ventures, angel investor George Miller, and Founders Fund. For more information, follow @nerdstgamers on Twitter or visit www.nerdstgamers.com.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2020, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $5.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS™ FIFA, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, Madden NFL, Need for Speed™, Titanfall™ and Plants vs. Zombies™. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA SPORTS, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, Titanfall and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Madden, FIFA and the NFL are property of their respective owners and used with permission.

Media Contacts: Kelsey Boyd, Kelsey.boyd@nfl.com;
LaTonya Story, LaTonya@Lpsconsultingpr.com