EA Scraps College Football in 2014 as Lawsuit Finally Ends

[IanDavis]

EA Scraps College Football in 2014 as Lawsuit Finally Ends

College players win the lawsuit for compensation, as EA cancels any 2014 college football games.

While Madden 25 is all set to rake in the millions next month, college football fans might have to wait a bit longer. Since July, legal uncertainty caused the NCAA to [a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/126079-EA-Loses-NCAA-Football-License-UPDATE]not renew[/a] its license with EA Sports, but the publisher was determined to continue anyway. Yesterday, EA announced it had cancelled any college football games next year, which was shortly followed by news that the long-running lawsuit had [a href=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-lanier-law-firm-announces-historic-settlement-for-ncaa-student-athletes-in-lawsuits-against-ea-sports-collegiate-licensing-company-225412882.html]recently reached a conclusion[/a].

"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," said [a href=http://www.ea.com/news/update-on-college-football]Cam Weber[/a], general manager of American football at EA Sports. "The ongoing legal issues combined with increased questions surrounding schools and conferences have left us in a difficult position."

Later that same day, both EA and the Collegiate Licensing Company [a href=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-lanier-law-firm-announces-historic-settlement-for-ncaa-student-athletes-in-lawsuits-against-ea-sports-collegiate-licensing-company-225412882.html]reached an agreement[/a] with former college players over the use of their likeness. Mr. Egdorf, an attorney representing the players, referred to it as a "game-changer," saying that "we view this as the first step toward our ultimate goal of making sure all student-athletes can claim their fair share of the billions of dollars generated each year by college sports."

While the future of college football games remains uncertain, EA insists that they will continue to support NCAA Football 14.


Source: [a href=http://www.ea.com/news/update-on-college-football]EA[/a] via [a href=http://www.polygon.com/2013/9/26/4774542/ea-sports-ncaa-football-college-2014-canceled]Polygon[/a]

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[TheIceQueen]

As I said in the other thread, good. Profiting off some kid's likeness who's out there getting battered and beaten every weekend whilst giving them barely anything in return is just plain wrong.

 

[TheIceQueen]

As I said in the other thread, good. Profiting off some kid's likeness who's out there getting battered and beaten every weekend whilst giving them barely anything in return is just plain wrong.

While true, EA is easily the least offensive member. As of a month ago (until an important ESPN analyst pointed it out), the NCAA sold jerseys with the player's names on them, but if the player tries to sell their own gear, they get their scholarship revoked and their eligibility removed.

It's a massive double standard because the NCAA loves money more than actually helping student-athletes.

I'm not really blaming EA, honestly. I just hate anything to do with the NCAA, really. I'm more than aware of their scandals.

Still, being the least offending party isn't saying too much in someone's favor.

 

[ron1n]

South Park pretty much called them out on it. As bad as EA are, the NCAA is worse.

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[rees263]

Can someone explain to me the appeal of a college football game? What does it offer over say Madden to justify it's existence?