NewsAug 23, 2021

MLSPA, Konami, OneTeam Partners Announce Landmark Video Game Agreement for eFootball™


KONAMI, MLSPA AND ONETEAM PARTNERS ANNOUNCE LANDMARK MULTIYEAR VIDEO GAME AGREEMENT FOR eFootball

MLSPA players will officially appear in the licensed Konami eFootball™ video game franchise via a new agreement with the Players Association and its group licensing representative OneTeam

In addition to securing the full MLSPA player roster, the eFootball™ video game series confirmed 11 MLSPA stars as ambassadors including Jonathan Dos Santos, Josef Martinez and Eduard Atuesta

LOS ANGELES and WASHINGTON D.C. – August 23, 2021 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) and OneTeam Partners (OneTeam) today announced that the MLSPA’s Members will be featured in the KONAMI eFootball™ video game franchise through a trailblazing multiyear group licensing agreement. The partnership will grant KONAMI the right to feature the names, numbers, images, and likenesses for MLSPA players in eFootball™, delivering wider engagement across North American soccer audiences.

“As we evolve our acclaimed soccer video game series towards a new brand direction, one key element of this transition is to further engage North American-based audiences on our updated eFootball franchise,” said Takayuki Kubo, President, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “This partnership with the MLSPA and OneTeam will allow KONAMI to further grow our presence in North America and deliver the most immersive global football experience to our fans.

"The MLSPA is proud to partner with KONAMI to bring our players into the new world of eFootball,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director, MLSPA. “As the global football gaming community continues to expand and evolve, our members are excited to take the stage in this new simulation platform.”

Additionally, KONAMI unveiled the eleven MLSPA players who will join the roster of eFootball™ ambassadors. The newly named ambassadors represent both established and ascendant stars:

  • Efraín Álvarez
  • Eduard Atuesta
  • Caden Clark
  • Cade Cowell
  • Jonathan Dos Santos
  • Jesús Ferreira
  • Tony Leone
  • Josef Martinez
  • Andrés Perea
  • Cristian Roldan
  • Yeferson Soteldo

OneTeam Partners, the group player licensing partner of the MLSPA, facilitated the trendsetting new partnership. OneTeam is a global sports company unleashing the collective power of world-class athletes to drive business via group licensing, marketing, media and venture.

“Adding the collective power of the players into the eFootball video game further enhances the fan experience and through KONAMI's free-to-play approach opens new dimensions for all audiences to engage with the best soccer players in North America,” said Henry Lowenfels, Chief Product Officer, OneTeam Partners.

eFootball™ is an all-new football simulation platform from the makers of PES and Winning Eleven. Free-to-play and completely rebuilt in Unreal® Engine, eFootball will launch worldwide on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows® 10 and PC Steam® this fall, with iOS and Android to follow soon after.

Uniting football’s global gaming community for the first time, eFootball™ will offer the same highly realistic esports experience across console, PC and mobile, including full cross-play support post-launch. Further details regarding player content utilization within eFootball and across various modes will be shared later.

For all the latest news about eFootball™ and for further information, please follow:

“eFootball”, "e-Football" and "eFootball logo" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries or regions.