Photo credit: www.dexerto.com
EA Sports to Compensate College Football Players in Upcoming Game
EA Sports is preparing to reward more than 14,000 college football players financially for their names and likenesses in the upcoming title, College Football 26.
After a lengthy absence since NCAA Football 14 was last published in 2013, EA Sports is returning to the college football scene. The series was put on hold due to legal challenges regarding the usage of amateur athletes’ names and likenesses without compensation.
The landscape was transformed in 2021 with the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation, which allowed college athletes to earn money from their identities. This legislative change enabled EA Sports to offer $600 to players featured in College Football 25.
The gap in releases appeared beneficial, as College Football 25 surpassed expectations to become the best-selling sports video game in U.S. history based on revenue. Although exact figures are undisclosed, the game’s commercial success is undeniable.
Following this success, college players are poised to benefit significantly from their participation.
The Athletic has reported that EA Sports plans to pay each player $1,500 for College Football 26, which is a significant increase from the previous amount. Top-tier athletes or cover stars may receive as much as $3,000.
For College Football 25, EA compensated 11,000 players, and similar numbers are expected for the next installment. This commitment signals an investment of over $16.5 million solely for athlete compensation.
Despite the financial offers, some athletes may decline participation. Notably, Texas quarterback Arch Manning initially turned down an offer before eventually agreeing to join the roster, showcasing the potential complexities involved in player agreements.
Scheduled for release in the summer of 2025, College Football 26 aims to build on the momentum created by its predecessor, though its specific launch date remains to be confirmed. College Football 25, for instance, was unveiled on July 19, but future releases are not guaranteed to follow the same timeline.
Source
www.dexerto.com