BET announces ‘The Game’ will end after Season 9

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BET announced earlier this week that its long-running comedy-drama series The Game will come to an end after Season 9.

Although the eighth season of the show has yet to air, BET has already revealed an end game for the popular dramedy.

The series, which originally aired on the CW, was BET’s first foray into original scripted television. The network picked up the half-hour series after the CW cancelled The Game after its third season.

In a written statement regarding the ninth and final season, BET said, “In January 2011, the cult following of The Game proved that the show was a fan favorite with 7.7 million viewers for its premiere debut on BET. With seasons eight and nine, we’re excited to end on a high note by giving Sabers fans a chance to bid farewell to their favorite players on and off the field.”

Mara Brock and Salim Akil, producers of the popular series, currently have a contract inked with the network through 2016. Being Mary Jane, also produced by the duo, will continue to air on the network, having recently been renewed for a second season.

Following the announcement, Mara Brock Akil spoke with BET.com about wrapping the series up, saying, “I’m really proud of the look of our show, that we took a multicam budget and turned it into a single-camera show.

Its look, its tone, its approach, the characters’ development — that, yes, we were a half-hour comedy but we used our moments to deepen the characters. We also offered drama in a half-hour space. And that was my own personal desire, but it was also reflective of what the audience has been wanting, which is more well-rounded, deeper, richer, layered characters, and they got that in The Game.”

In the same interview, Akil also said, “Shows do end. That is a part the business. I’m very happy BET gave The Game five additional seasons to explore these characters and this world. We made history when we got to the network, and it’s nice to be able to celebrate the great achievements of the show.”

Season 8 of the popular series is set to air in early 2015, according to Deadline.