EA’s Plans for College Football Series Revival

Electronic Arts’ popular “NCAA Football” franchise has been dormant for close to a decade, but that’s set to change soon.

EA released new editions of the game each year from 1993 through 2013. The game earned the company around $80 million in annual revenue.

Production stopped following a decision by the NCAA in 2013 to end its licensing agreement with EA due to a lawsuit brought by players demanding compensation for the use of their names and likenesses. 

In February, EA announced plans to revive the franchise.

Now, the gaming company appears to be moving ahead with a new edition titled “EA Sports College Football” that initially will not have player names and likenesses.

• In February, EA and the Collegiate Licensing Company said that the game will include “logos, stadiums, uniforms, gameday traditions,” of over 100 institutions, but won’t have athlete NIL.
• NCAA began allowing players to profit from NIL rights starting in July.
• In August, EA said the game will include technology to “seamlessly integrate” player likenesses once the company has the license to do so.

EA plans to release the game in July 2023. 

The company took in $6.1 billion in the 12 months ending June 30.