Report: NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell leaves EA to join Zynga

Mark Turmell, EA Tiburon's senior creative director and the creator of NBA Jam, has allegedly left Electronic Arts for Zynga. Kotaku confirmed with EA that Turmell left the publisher, with a company spokesperson saying, "We appreciate Mark's contribution to Tiburon and EA Sports and wish him well in future endeavors."

Turmell's departure adds some questions to the rumored return of NFL Blitz, allegedly being developed at EA Tiburon. Turmell co-created the original NFL Blitz while at Midway.

If Turmell does end up at Zynga, he adds his name to a list that includes former EA COO John Schappert, developer Brian Reynolds and many, many other individuals and studios.