In a move that’s already lighting up the gaming world, EA Sports announced it would be rebooting its popular college football video game that had been discontinued since 2013.
Where student athletes stand in fight for compensation
According to ESPN, a return date or date to announce when the return will happen hasn’t been set. The game will not be available for the 2021 college football season, however.
“As we look for the momentum that we’re building on in sports, it all starts with the passion of our fans and the opportunities of what they are interested in,” EA Sports vice president and general manager, Daryl Holt told ESPN. “I don’t think a visit where I go outside wearing a piece of EA Sports branded apparel, that someone doesn’t go, ‘Hey, when is college football coming back?’ “
EA Sports has partnered with CLC, a collegiate licensing company, so that it could include the FBS programs, uniforms, traditions and playbooks, according to ESPN. More than 100 teams will be available.
While the gaming community has responded positively, at least one member of Congress did not.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, blasted the news about the rebooted game.
“EA Sports’ college football series reboot is just further proof that the NCAA’s priority is keeping their profits coming while keeping any and all revenue away from their athletes,” Murphy said Tuesday in a statement. “Cutting athletes out of this reboot so they aren’t responsible for paying them for their likeness is a grave injustice, and I’ll be introducing legislation soon to help players finally profit off their talent so they don’t need to face continued mistreatment like this.”
The last college football game the vide game franchise produced was NCAA Football 14 with former Michigan Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson gracing the cover.
The series was discontinued as the debate over student athletes being compensated for their names, images and likenesses (NIL) continued around the country and in legislative bodies. The old video game franchise did not use actual college football player names, but the roster closely mirrored the actual ones with player numbers and positions tied to general physical appearances of those playing on fields on Saturdays.
Legislation has advanced on the NIL issue, which could offer student athletes a chance to profit off of their time playing college football. Current NCAA rules forbid student athletes from selling their name, image or likeness while they are eligible in any athletic program.
Holt told ESPN that EA Sports would monitor changes to the NIL rules, but that the game would proceed either way.
“We’ll just keep tabs on everything as it develops and we’ll be ready,” Holt told ESPN. “That won’t be a problem for us. But it’s really, that’s not an answer for us right now to decide. We’re as much passengers as anyone else.
“So we make sure we deliver what our college football game players would want in a game. And that starts with just a very immersive experience and there’s lots of things we can do to bring the true college game play and game day to the virtual world.”
If certain NIL rights are changed, it could open the path for college football players to have their names, images and likenesses used in the game for monetary gain.
According to ESPN, the name of the franchise will change, with the plan to rebrand it as “EA Sports College Football.” ESPN also reported that the game is in its very early developmental stages.
Alabama running back Najee Harris celebrates after the Crimson Tide captured the national championship.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones celebrates with the championship trophy.
Alabama offensive lineman Landon Dickerson celebrates with the championship trophy.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood lift up the championship trophy.
Ohio State defensive tackle Zaid Hamdan and cornerback Marcus Williamson react after losing to Alabama.
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood passes the trophy to offensive lineman Landon Dickerson.
Ohio State safety Josh Proctor reacts after losing to Alabama.
Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood shares the championship trophy with his teammates.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields walks off the field after losing to Alabama.
Ohio State defensive end Jonathon Cooper (0) reacts on the bench after the Buckeyes’ loss.
Alabama linebacker Joshua McMillon celebrates after defeating Ohio State in the national title game.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is lifted up by offensive lineman Landon Dickerson after the Crimson Tide’s win over Ohio State.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is doused with Gatorade after defeating Ohio State to win the national championship.
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba bobbles the ball in the end zone and cannot make the catch during the fourth quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter.
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner tackles Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr.
Alabama players celebrate a fourth-down stop in the third quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris celebrates during the third quarter.
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden celebrates with quarterback Mac Jones after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter.
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter.
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden scores a touchdown in the third quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith walks to the locker room after suffering a hand injury during the third quarter.
Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson catches a touchdown during the third quarter.
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson catches a touchdown in the third quarter.
Alabamaquarterback Mac Jones throws a pass during the third quarter.
Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner breaks up a pass intended for Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith during the third quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris runs the ball during the third quarter.
Trainers tend to Ohio State offensive lineman Wyatt Davis during the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown during the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown in the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown during the second quarter.
Ohio State kicker Jake Seibert kicks a 23-yard field goal during the second quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris dives for a touchdown during the second quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris scores a touchdown in the second quarter.
Ohio State running back Master Teague III runs for a touchdown during the second quarter.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields grimaces after taking a hit in the second quarter.
Ohio State running back Master Teague III runs during the second quarter.
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning recovers a fumble by Alabama QB Mac Jones in the second quarter.
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning forces a fumble by Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates with John Metchie III after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith scores a touchdown in the second quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris runs during the first quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith makes a catch during the first quarter.
Ohio State running back Master Teague III celebrates with wide receiver Garrett Wilson after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter.
Ohio State running back Master Teague III scores a touchdown in the first quarter.
Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert celebrates a first-quarter catch.
Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert makes a catch during the first quarter.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter.
Alabama running back Najee Harris scores a touchdown in the first quarter.
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden catches a pass during the first quarter.
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith runs with the ball during the first quarter Jan. 11, 2021.
The Alabama Crimson Tide run onto the field before the game.
The Ohio State Buckeyes run onto the field before the game.
Alabama QB Mac Jones warms up before the game.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields warms up before the game.
Alabama WR DeVonta Smith warms up before the game.
Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle warms up before the game.
An Ohio State fan poses for a picture before the game.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones warms up.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban walks across the field before the game.
A view of the field at Hard Rock Stadium before the title game.
The College Football Playoff logo at Hard Rock Stadium before the title game.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is interviewed before the game.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is interviewed before the game.
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