For the first time in 17 years, EA Sports will not publish their annual college football game, NCAA Football, due to ongoing legal battles with players and universities.
Cam Weber, the general manager of EA Sports’ Madden and NCAA Football franchises, released the following statement on EA’s website, announcing the cancellation of series’ next game, NCAA Football 15.
Today I am sad to announce that we will not be publishing a new college football game next year, and we are evaluating our plan for the future of the franchise. This is as profoundly disappointing to the people who make this game as I expect it will be for the millions who enjoy playing it each year. I’d like to explain a couple of the factors that brought us to this decision.
We have been stuck in the middle of a dispute between the NCAA and student-athletes who seek compensation for playing college football. Just like companies that broadcast college games and those that provide equipment and apparel, we follow rules that are set by the NCAA – but those rules are being challenged by some student-athletes. For our part, we are working to settle the lawsuits with the student-athletes. Meanwhile, the NCAA and a number of conferences have withdrawn their support of our game. The ongoing legal issues combined with increased questions surrounding schools and conferences have left us in a difficult position – one that challenges our ability to deliver an authentic sports experience, which is the very foundation of EA SPORTS games.
At EA SPORTS, college football has always been a labor of love, and it is unfortunate that these business and legal issues have impacted our ability to make next year’s game. This franchise has been developed by a team that is deeply committed to the tradition and culture of this sport – that’s why fans have always loved it. We are working to retain the talented people who are part of the team by placing them elsewhere within the EA SPORTS organization.
In the meantime, we will continue to be connected and engaged with our fans who are playing EA SPORTS NCAA Football. Our decision does not affect our commitment to NCAA Football 14 and the consumers who love playing the game.
Both former and currently college athletes argue that EA Sports has made an enormous amount of money by using their names and likeness. While some universities earn up to $75,000 per year for being featured in the game, individual players receive no compensation due to current NCAA guidelines. One study suggests that the game’s top student athletes are worth up to $265,000 each. Therefore, former college athletes are leading the charge for several major college football conferences to leave their contracts with EA Sports. The Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC have already done so, with many more expected to follow suit.
This is not the first time Electronic Arts has come across a problem like this with a football game. For all John Madden games published prior to 1993, the use of team and player names was not allowed, although their likeness was often mimicked. Once EA obtained official NFL licensing in 1993, all games forward featured real player names with real teams.
A similar situation to this may be required for EA Sports to continue their NCAA Football franchise. With college football’s governing body weakening, the future of the NCAA may be short lived. Now that the real power is going to the conferences, each conference may have to set up their own individual licensing agreement with EA Sports before the gaming company can return to publish the franchise. It’s very possible the agreement could include college players receiving compensation for their likeness and possible use of their names (NCCA Football only features players numbers, not names).
Until these disputes are solved, there will most likely not be another NCAA Football game. How long will the change take? A year? Five years? That is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, the debate over pay-for-play must be addressed. The world of college football is an ever-changing landscape, and with that, the attitude of players, universities and fans accepting the fact that one day collegiate athletes will be paid.
