In another sign that the NCAA, state legislatures, or Congress will approve name, image, and likeness for college athletes, Electronic Arts is moving forward with its latest college football game through its EA Sports video game division. EA sports last released a college football video game in 2013 (NCAA Football 14). The NCAA Football series spanned two decades and generated tens of millions of unit sales.
“Today, Electronic Arts and [collegiate licensing company] CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing company, announced the expected return of college football to EA SPORTS,” EA Sports posted on its website. The NCAA Football series spanned two decades and generated tens of millions of unit sales. The company cited customer demand as driving force for reviving the game. Recent movement on the NIL front suggests EA Sports is also positioning itself to lead the way once the dust settles.
How a new college football video game affects student-athlete NIL rights is yet to be seen. That will depend on whether future rules create space for complex group licensing agreements - agreements necessary to secure large groups of student-athletes to use their names in the game.
EA Sports promises more information as the move closer to making this a reality.