or


[12/14/04 - 12:00 AM]
'Playmakers' May Live on as Part of Midway's 'Blitz'
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- ESPN may have dropped the "Playmakers" ball, but videogame company Midway may be picking it up as the company confirmed on Monday its plans for "Blitz: Playmakers," the latest entry in its over-the-top football franchise.

"Enough of the 'No Fun League'... it's now time to talk about and prepare for the game the NFL wouldn't let anyone make... Blitz the way it should be played," a company spokesman told gaming portal IGN Sports.

While full details about the project weren't released, the game will share more than just the namesake of the defunct cable drama - one of the "Playmakers" writers has been hired to develop the game.

Despite said developments, neither Midway nor ESPN has confirmed any connection between the ESPN series and the Midway game.

The news comes on the same day Electronic Arts, makers of the "Madden" juggernaut, announced its exclusive five-year licensing agreement with the NFL. Said pact means that Midway (or fellow football developers ESPN, 989, and Microsoft) will no longer feature the NFL teams, stadiums, and players in its football video games. The decision also puts Midway, whose "Blitz: Playmakers" is the first post-NFL game to be confirmed, several steps ahead of its non-EA competition in terms of developing its own football brand.

And with ESPN's "Playmakers" literally being the series the NFL didn't want viewers to see, any assocation would extend that brand even further. The 11-episode drama drew the wrath of both the National Football League owners and officials of the NFL Players Assocation as each objected to the show's content.

Not wanting to risk damaging their relationship with the NFL, ESPN went ahead and gave "Playmakers" the hook back in February despite having two of television's most valued commodities: healthy ratings and critical acclaim. Mark Shapiro, ESPN's executive VP of programming and production, wasn't even shy about the network's motivations when the news broke: "Many considerations went into to this decision, not the least of which was the reaction from a longtime and valued partner. We are proud of the show on many levels - it was a creative and critical success, and we are appreciative that viewers clearly embraced this new genre on our network... so much so that we are actively engaged in pursuing our next drama."

ESPN was then reportedly approached by several other cable channels about picking up the series but opted not to continue production in order avoid any further ire by the NFL. "['Playmakers'] is our series, and as a result it will not air elsewhere," ESPN's Josh Krulewitz told USA Today at the time.

Whether Midway's "Blitz: Playmakers," which would undoubtedly build on the viewers that felt betrayed by ESPN's decision to axe the series, marks a reversal of said decision remains to be seen.

Click here to read IGN Sports' coverage of this story.





  [december 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· PLAYMAKERS (ESPN)





[03/13/25 - 01:30 PM]
NBC Orders "Stumble" Comedy Pilot
The mockumentary project is about the ridiculously high stakes competitive world of junior college cheer.

[03/13/25 - 12:06 PM]
Video: Apple Original Films Unveils the "F1" Movie Trailer
The film stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Kim Bodnia.

[03/13/25 - 12:02 PM]
ABC News' "20/20" Limited Series "Bad Romance" Returns for Second Season, Tuesday, March 25, on ABC and Next Day on Hulu
Ryan Smith hosts the eight-episode series that delves into the harrowing stories of individuals who lost their lives at the hands of those who once vowed to love them forever and examines the devastating consequences of obsession and manipulation, exposing the dark side of love.

[03/13/25 - 10:29 AM]
Mother Knows Best Is Put to the Test in OWN's New Love & Relationship Series "#Somebody's Son"
The series follows three charming, single and successful men as they embark on a high stakes search for true love, looking for a lasting partner amongst a group of exceptional single women.

[03/13/25 - 10:19 AM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Miami Heat to Host Detroit Pistons on March 19
It replaces the previously scheduled New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchup.

[03/13/25 - 10:05 AM]
Daniel Radcliffe Cast in NBC's Tracy Morgan Comedy Pilot
Radcliffe plays Arthur Tobin, an award-winning filmmaker who moves into Reggie's (Tracy Morgan) mansion to film an immersive documentary about the former star running back.

[03/13/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Black Mirror" Season 7 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Lose your mind. Lose your reality. The Emmy Award winning series returns with six new stories. Nothing is as it seems.

[03/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Starz Sets June 6 Return for "BMF" Season Four and Teases "WTF Happened in Mexico?"
The announcement comes with a new action-packed teaser showcasing life-and-death stakes as the Flenory brothers expand their business and confirms the fourth season will explore the fallout from a chaotic and relationship-altering mission in Mexico.

[03/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
Cast and Date Announcement: Hulu's "Got to Get Out"
Twenty people under one roof, $1 million dollars in prizes up for grabs. To win it, they've GOT TO GET OUT... but that's much easier said than done.

[03/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: We TV Releases a Sneak Peek at the Highly Anticipated New Season of "Mama June: Family Crisis"
This season on "Mama June: Family Crisis," June fights for custody of Kaitlyn after Anna's tragic loss.

[03/13/25 - 08:01 AM]
TNT Sports to Premiere "Dance of Destiny: A Guide to Winning the Men's Basketball Tournament", Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m. ET on truTV
The hour-long documentary will delve into the thrilling and unpredictable men's college basketball tournament and how some of the best head coaches across the country are able to navigate the chaos of the survive-and-advance event, while inspiring their players through it all.

[03/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
A24's "Babygirl" Begins Streaming Exclusively on Max April 25
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.

[03/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
Showtime Original Series "Dexter: Resurrection" Adds Guest Star David Dastmalchian
Dastmalchian will guest star in the role of Gareth.

[03/13/25 - 07:02 AM]
Video: "The Gardener" - Release Date Announced - Netflix
Elmer's mother used his lack of feelings to turn him into a hitman. But when he falls for his next victim, their cover as calm local gardeners wavers.

[03/13/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "North of North" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Determined to forge her own path in her small Arctic town, Siaja, a newly single young mom, takes bold risks in her career and love life.