Like clockwork, Electronic Arts' Madden NFL franchise hits store shelves during the NFL minicamps and gets armchair quarterbacks pumped for the upcoming season. However, dropping $50 on a new edition each year can be strapping for frugal football fans.

Gamers thinking of skipping this year's version of Madden may have a change of heart now. EA and several online retailers are offering a free year's subscription to the new EA Sports Fantasy Football Commissioner service with preorders of Madden NFL 2006.

The free account, valued at $49.99, has all the staples of a fantasy football league, with a few EA-exclusive extras. Gamers will be able to track their fantasy stats, news, and trade offers through Madden NFL 2006. The service also has the EA Sports Edge, a tool to help optimize a winning starting lineup, and MaddenView, which helps players make good predictions by using the game.

To get their free EA Sports Fantasy Football accounts, gamers will need to preorder Madden NFL 2006 from EA's online store, EBGames.com, or GameStop.com.

Madden NFL 2006 ships August 8 for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, PC, Game Boy Advanced, and DS. The offer does not apply to preorders of the GBA or DS versions. For more information on the game, take a peek at GameSpot's previous coverage.

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