Owner Mode

Madden NFL 25 Owner Mode

This year, Madden NFL 25 introduces Owner mode within Connected Franchise, adding an incredible amount of depth and intricacy to sports gaming’s most innovative career mode.

STEPPING INTO THE OWNER’S BOX

Your first decision when you start up Owner mode is choosing which NFL team you'd like to control. There are lots of ways to approach Owner mode, starting with the first decision you make. Interested in taking on the challenge of building up a young team like the Cleveland Browns? Or maybe you’d be interested in instilling some discipline in the unruly Raiders. Or perhaps you take a free-spending team like the Redskins and try to reign in their finances a bit to clear some salary cap space.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to take on the persona of a real NFL owner or start fresh by inserting yourself as the new boss. It’s always fun to build up a team in your own image, but it’s also incredibly alluring to embody the larger-than-life personalities of guys like Jerry Jones or Jim Irsay.

Once you’re ready to get started, it’s time to familiarize yourself with your team’s current situation. What does the cash flow look like? Is your stadium in good shape, or could it use some upgrades? Do you have the right coaching staff, or is it time to bring in a new regime? There’s a lot to keep track of, but fortunately you’re not going it alone, as several advisors are on-hand to help you understand exactly where you stand.

PUTTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES

While many fans gauge a team based on their performances on Sunday, savvy fans know there are a lot of folks who play a big role in the team’s success. The most public of these figures is the head coach, who’s ultimately responsible for the gameplan and making sure the players are motivated and ready every week. Make sure your coach’s philosophy aligns with the strengths of your team; otherwise, you’re in for a rough season!

If you’re looking to make a change at head coach then there are several factors that will influence who’s willing to hear your pitch. Want to get Jimmy Johnson out of the broadcast booth and back onto the sideline? To pull it off, you’ll need a team that is both valuable and popular, with enough potential to make a run at the Super Bowl.

The coach isn’t the only one who can help your team succeed, so you’ll need behind-the-scenes personnel to help build your team and keep it healthy. Every team needs a good scout, and the better yours, is the bigger discount you get when buying scouting packages.

It’s a fact, players get hurt. That’s when you’ll be reliant on trainers that can help your players rehab and get them back on the field. These folks are particularly helpful when players sustain serious injuries, getting them back on the field sooner and reducing the chance of reinjuring it. Investing in a great trainer will go a long way towards helping you keep your best players on the field.

BUILDING AND MAINTAINING YOUR DREAM STADIUM

As the NFL has grown in popularity, stadiums have continued to get bigger and more opulent. Newer venues boast some incredible amenities, and many teams in older buildings are doing everything they can to keep up. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain an attractive stadium and make it a destination where fans want to come spend their time and money. You’ll have to plan your upgrades carefully though, as all stadiums have a maximum upgrade capacity.

In the event your team’s home just can’t keep up with the Joneses, you’ve also got the option to rebuild your field from the ground up. Building a new stadium is an expensive proposition, so you’d best make sure this is a place appealing to your team’s fans and that the house is packed every weekend.

FIND A NEW HOME

What should you do if you find your team just isn’t the right fit for its city? If that’s the case, then you can move the team to a new city and try your fortunes in a different town. Maybe you want to move the Rams or Raiders back to Los Angeles, or expand the league to a new country by placing a team in Toronto or Mexico City. If you’re truly bold, you can even move a team to London and try to sway English fans into watching a completely different kind of football.

Moving a team doesn’t just give you a new name, mascot and stadium, it also brings with it new fans and a completely different dynamic. If you go to LA, you’re heading into a situation where you can make a lot of money very quickly, but you’ve also got to compete with several other professional sports teams vying for cash and attention. Win early and often and you may be able to hold sway over the fanbase, but one or two losing seasons could lead to a drop in attendance that takes a long time to recover from.

On the other hand, a city like Toronto is likely to be more loyal to the team, but won’t provide as much of a cash infusion. It’s a good city to build up a franchise, but can you make the money necessary to realize your grand visions for your team? These are all things to consider before you uproot a team and try your fortunes in a new location.

HAPPY FANS AND FULL COFFERS

As the owner, you maintain full control over pricing on everything from tickets and merchandise to concessions and parking. Fans may love $20 tickets, but that’s not going to keep your team out of the red. Conversely, most folks won’t pay $10 for a hot dog, so pricing yourself right out of the market won’t help either.

Finding the sweet spot between these extremes is key, and the city you’re in and the players on your team will help determine which way the pendulum swings. The shrewdest owners know that they always have to take into account what the market will bear, and so should you if you expect to succeed.

WHAT’S YOUR STATEMENT?

Another component of fan happiness and overall team success is the media statements you’ll be asked to make after some games. Say you’ve lost three in a row; are you prepared to promise a victory next week or do you think it’s best to soft-pedal and remain non-committal? Be bold and the fans may rally if you win, but lose another and they’ll be furious. Offer a lukewarm response and you’ll see little boost after a victory, but also won’t be facing a full-on fan revolt if you can’t turn things around.

Ultimately, everything you do comes down to your fans and how they perceive your team. If the fanbase is strong you’ll be able to build a beautiful stadium with plenty of amenities and, most importantly, put a championship contender on the field. However, if you wrong the fans you may find yourself struggling to make ends meet and could be forced to sell the team if you just don’t have what it takes. Are you ready to prove what you have what it takes to be an NFL owner? Find out on August 27.



Madden NFL 25 will be available on Tuesday, August 27, for Xbox 360 and PS3, and fans can learn more at the Madden website. Pre-order today to receive exclusive Franchise Packs for your Connected Franchise and Madden Ultimate Team!

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