Pachter: Post-thanksgiving Madden NFL 12 release would "impact" sales

Michael Pachter's said that a release of Madden NFL 12 release after thanksgiving would "impact" sales of the game.

The Wedbush Morgan's analyst's comment comes as the new NFL season is in threat due to a lockout by players over union issues.

"It’s still too early to call, since the lockout is happening in March and Madden launches in August," Pachter told The Hollywood Reporter.

"That’s a lot of time to fix things, although most commentators don’t sound very optimistic. My guess is that a complete cancellation of the NFL season would cost Madden around 50 percent of sales, and a delay of the season would be far less impactful.

"If the season is only delayed a week or two and fans aren’t alienated, there would be only a very small impact; if delayed through Thanksgiving (when the holiday selling season begins in earnest), the impact would be far greater."

EA insists it will release Madden NFL 12 this year, resolved dispute or not.

"Fans of Madden NFL will not have their seasons interrupted regardless of when the labor issues are resolved," US PR director at EA Sports, Rob Semsey, told THR.

"EA Sports will release Madden NFL 12 in August, complete with exciting new features and product innovation that will allow NFL fans to fill their desire for football."