• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Teams Use Video Game to Take NIL Stance

  • Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Tulane will not agree to be portrayed in EA Sports College Football until college athletes can profit off their NIL, according to team statements and a Chicago Sun-Times report.
  • Notre Dame in particular said it supports athletes participating in group licensing deals.
Photo: Robert Franklin-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Tulane will not agree to be portrayed in EA Sports College Football until college athletes can profit off their name, image, and likeness, according to team statements and a Chicago Sun-Times report.

Notre Dame in particular said it supports athletes participating in group licensing deals.

Notre Dame vs. NCAA

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick officially broke with the NCAA’s stance during an interview with the “Paul Finebaum Show,” saying he believes athletes should be able to profit off their portrayal in the video game without being considered employees. 

“You can’t say, ‘No group license, so they can’t participate,’” Swarbrick said. “That’s not fair.” 

The NCAA has said it opposes group licensing rights because it doesn’t want athletes to represent themselves collectively. 

Organizations resembling college athlete unions could threaten the NCAA’s business model of “amateurism.” 

Northwestern also opposed an official college athlete union in 2014. Yet, it’s now one of the three schools using the video game to advocate for athlete NIL rights.

The Background

In February, Electronic Arts announced it would reboot the long-dormant game with the assumption that NIL rights would eventually pass.

While the NCAA’s proposed rule changes do not allow for group licensing, several federal NIL bills would allow for the practice.

Convenient Timing

Sports attorney and athletes rights advocate Tammi Gaw explained the reasons schools aren’t worried about repercussions from group licensing right now.

“One, they have time before the game would be released. Two, there are too many bills pending to predict the NIL landscape,” Gaw told FOS. 

“Three, it makes for a good recruiting pitch.”

Ultimately, there’s not one central reason to support group licensing. “While it may be a small aspect, I think that it would be premature to assign it an altruistic motivation,” Gaw said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jamier Brown

Judge Temporarily Allows Ohio High Schoolers to Make NIL Deals

Most states do not restrict high school NIL deals.
BYU

BYU Lost Its Star QB This Summer. Now It’s One of the..

The Cougars are thriving with a true freshman at quarterback.
Jason Belzer

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Cignetti

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Woodi Washington (5) runs after a reception during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
August 19, 2025

Oklahoma Selling Fans Tickets to Press Conferences

Press conference tickets for the Sooners’ season opener are already sold out.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
August 11, 2025

NBA Christmas Schedule Leans on LeBron, Steph While Betting on Flagg

The Lakers, Warriors, and Rockets are all in action.
August 10, 2025

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
August 8, 2025

Three Schools Sue Mountain West, Commish Over Withheld Funds

Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State intensified the court battle.
Courtesy: Harlem Globetrotters
July 25, 2025

The Harlem Globetrotters Have Changed Hands Repeatedly, but Keep Making Money

The team is gearing up for its 100th season.