NFL Icon Barry Sanders Ends Relationship with Madden Video Game Franchise, EA Sports

Madden Ultimate Team fans may have just lost their favorite running back.

Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders announced in a social media post on Tuesday that he is no longer allowing the EA Sports video game to use his name and likeness for Madden:

Sanders did not delve into his reasoning behind pulling his license. The Hall of Famer has a long relationship with EA Sports and was a cover athlete for the 25th anniversary edition of Madden in 2013.

Given Tuesday's announcement, fans likely can expect Sanders not to be included in the upcoming EA Sports College Football game as well. While details on the revived game series are still coming out, there will likely be some form of Ultimate Team featuring past players upon the game's release.

Ultimate Team, which sees gamers build their own roster of current players, legends and celebrities, has become a massive source of income for EA Sports and a staple across its sports franchises. The mode reportedly generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue.

Sanders has long been a favorite of Madden players due to his best cards typically carrying 99 speed, along with elite juke and spin move ratings.