Fresh off the holidays, we’re off to a big start to the New Year. Despite some of the industry headwinds, we are optimistic for continued growth from EA SPORTS in 2010, powered by a number of exciting projects that we have in the works. We were thrilled to announce one of those earlier this week - the iconic NBA JAM.

NBA JAM was embraced at thousands of arcades around the world, and soon once you will be able to feel the heat again with a new and improved version from EA SPORTS. We recognize the beauty in the simplicity of the original, and are striving to maintain those core basics that made it so enjoyable in the mid 90s. NBA JAM allowed anyone to put in a quarter and dunk from half-court. We intend to stay true to those principles, while adding innovative new features that we think everyone will love.

It also comes with great pleasure to welcome industry veteran Mark Turmell to the EA SPORTS family. Mark has long been one of the great creative directors in our industry, and is the mastermind behind the original NBA JAM, as well as fan favorites like Smash TV and NFL Blitz. The addition of Mark to the Tiburon studio team is proof positive of our commitment to attract the industry’s best talent. Mark will bring a fresh perspective on fun and accessibility to our award-winning football franchises.

Last week, just in time for the start of the NFL Playoffs, we launched Madden NFL Ultimate Team. This fresh take on Madden NFL brings to life the experience of being your own General Manager, building your team from scratch and developing it into a powerhouse. This card collecting feature adds a whole new experience to Madden NFL 10, helping you discover a completely different side of the game and Madden Nation has responded in a big way, playing the equivalent of 47 NFL seasons in the first week. The Ultimate Team addition is free and can be downloaded in the most recent update.

I can’t close without commenting on the abysmal state of my beloved Liverpool FC. I have been a fan for close to 50 years now, and at no point during that time can I recall this proud and accomplished club being in such a state of disarray, both on and off the pitch. Swift action needs to be taken to at the very least keep us in contention for a top four place. The negative financial implications of failing to qualify for next year’s Champion’s League are dire, given the escalating costs of being competitive at the pinnacle of European club soccer. That’s where we belong, and the fans deserve and demand nothing less.