In anticipation of EA SPORTS’ Madden NFL 22, ESPN is bringing back Madden Ratings Week starting on Monday July 26th. The coverage will include a preview day special followed by daily appearances on First Take, SportsCenter, and NFL Live.
What’s Happening:
- After a successful debut in 2020, ESPN has announced plans to once again host Madden Ratings Week.
- From July 26-30 audiences can tune in as ESPN reveals player ratings for the latest edition in the EA SPORTS Madden NFL franchise, Madden NFL 22.
- The highly anticipated game launches worldwide on August 20, 2021.
- Madden Ratings Week kicks off with a SportsCenter special hosted by Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes on Sunday, July 25th at 12:30 pm ET on ESPN.
- Players in the Madden NFL 22 “99 Club” (those rated 99 overall, the highest rating possible in the game) will be revealed during Get Up each morning and the top ten players from several positions will be discussed daily on First Take, SportsCenter and NFL Live.
- All of the excitement will culminate in a SportsCenter special breaking down the ratings process on Friday, July 30 at 7 pm on ESPN.
- New this year, NFL alumni ratings adjustors, like Chad Johnson, Marshawn Lynch and Alex Smith, will be part of the coverage, helping reveal the ratings in the kickoff show, primetime special on Friday and daily on First Take.
Schedule for Madden Ratings Week:
- Monday, July 26: Top 10 Wide Receivers with Chad Johnson on First Take and full WR ratings reveal on SportsCenter, with additional coverage breaking down ESPN’s NFL commentators and analyst own Madden ratings on NFL Live
- Tuesday, July 27: Top 10 Defensive Linemen with Vince Wilfork on First Take and live reveal of top 10 Edge Rushers on SportsCenter and NFL Live
- Wednesday, July 28: Top Running Backs with Marshawn Lynch on First Take and full running back ratings reveal on SportsCenter and NFL Live
- Thursday, July 29: Top 10 Safeties with Ed Reed on First Take, with additional ratings revealed on SportsCenter and NFL Live
- Friday, July 30: Top 10 Quarterbacks with Alex Smith on First Take, with additional ratings revealed on SportsCenter and NFL Live
What They’re Saying:
- Andy Tennant, senior coordinating producer for ESPN’s Madden Ratings: “The annual release of the new Madden is a kind of national holiday for NFL fans – they love it, the players love it and we love being able to partner with EA on this weeklong event. Our coverage will be replete with analysis and behind-the-scenes storytelling about the making of the latest edition of the most iconic sports video game ever. If you play, if you’re thinking about playing, we’ve got you covered.”
- Julie Foster, Vice President Marketing, EA SPORTS: “Madden Ratings have become a milestone for football culture each year and are among the most anticipated, talked about and debated topics across the sports landscape. We are excited again to reveal Madden NFL 22 player ratings with ESPN after teaming up last year and can’t wait to see what fans have to say.”