Judge Denies Dismissal of Conspiracy Case, EA Must Defend Itself Against Athletes - RaychelSnr's Blog

Arena Blog Dynasty Scores Sign Up ☰

RaychelSnr's Blog

Judge Denies Dismissal of Conspiracy Case, EA Must Defend Itself Against Athletes Stuck

Posted on May 19, 2012 at 12:45 PM.

(19)

The $1 billion question in EA's minds right now is how to prove they aren't conspiring with the NCAA to deny student athletes/former student athletes their fair share of the video game prize pool.

Judge Claudia Wilken recently denied EA's request to be dismissed from the case, which means EA and the NCAA must prove they aren't conspirators to deny athletes money they are owed from their likenesses being used in sports video games.

If EA loses the NCAA athletes case, that's 25% of their yearly income that they'll be required to pay for a game that accounts for much less than that.

Could this mean the NCAA Football franchise's fate hangs in the balance of what the court decides?

Well only time will tell, as we've been talking about this case in some form for over two years now. Regardless, expect a lot of interesting disclosures to come out of this case and even more importantly, expect it to be a much bigger deal than just a video games license.

Do you think the athletes are right to want money for their likenesses being used in NCAA Football/Basketball games?

Comments

# 1 PackerBacker123 @ May 19

calling it right now, in 5 years there will be no EA sports...

# 2 wat3 @ May 19

To EA, this is probably another little speed bump in the tortuous road that is EA's football products. Even if they do lose, it's not like they invest tons of money into their games. If they did, I'm sure we would have a much better product than what we've had the past 8 years as far as their football games go. The pockets there are so deep that no judgement would have a huge impact on what happens heading into the future. I'm sure EA will find some way around this speed bump to make NCAA football games like they always do. After all, it doesn't take much money to slap a cover on a case and cut a paste a 13 over the 12, does it?

# 3 khaliib @ May 19

EA is a major brand name, which means "Money" so for this case to be establish with grounds to be heard means there's going to be a huge cost to them to defend their brand.

The NCAA already has some folks (Congress etc...)suggesting that they are running a Monopolized System that excludes and isn't balanced.

Whether true or not doesn't matter, but the fact that the NCAA is being looked into at such a level might not be good for EA with their "Exclusive License" with the NCAA.

Just not a good time in this financial atmosphere, for "Any" company to have your business practices being questioned in a court of law!!!

# 4 Gramps91 @ May 19

I think it would be cool in a video game and anybody that gets upset over not getting paid is ruining it for themselves and everybody. This is why EA and 2k are careful to release college basketball games. I don't know about anybody else but I could sure go for another College basketball title.

# 5 jhogan3132 @ May 19

I do no think that former athletes should be paid. Now, put their names in the game when it ships and this is a different conversation. If thats the case I want EA to pay me for using my likeness as I attend Ohio State games, and there are a few fans in the game that I am pretty sure resemble me.

# 6 PackerBacker123 @ May 19

actually, I have no idea.

# 7 WildeCane @ May 19

do pro players get paid by madden?

# 8 jhogan3132 @ May 19

Yes the NFLPA is paid for the players likeness.

# 9 sactown_13 @ May 19

You have to admit they are using their likeness, when I turn on the game and see a fullback looking quarterback who plays for Florida and wears #15, obviously its Tim Tebow. The ONLY difference is his name is missing. I think their is a legitimate case here but unfortunately it could only end with complete random players or no college football game at all

# 10 Greatness @ May 19

Yes, I do think the athletes are right to want money for their likenesses being used in NCAA Football/Basketball games?

# 11 Vaporub83 @ May 20

Greatness, you must not like college video games. My likeness was used and I think its cool I don't deserve money for something so small.

# 12 PackerBacker123 @ May 20

just trying to stir up some conversation

# 13 chi_hawks @ May 20

This will all blow over. Worst case they release the default rosters as completely inaccurate and let the gaming communities fix as needed.

# 14 GuyinPA75 @ May 20

Prior poster says there will not be an EA Sports in 5 years?

I highly disagree. Would bet they will just import another tax ... I mean online code to play their games and generate the needed cash by doing so.

If people would all out stop by products that support those online tax ... I mean codes, companies would stop doing that. It is a high diservice to us, the gamers.

# 15 DIRRTY30 @ May 21

If they lose this case, I see EA making the player's physical attributes random, such as numbers, height and weight. But if they do that, I would like them to implement a way for us to name our rosters online 2 weeks or so in advance of launch. Actually, now that I think about it, I want that feature now dammit.

« Previous12 Next »

RaychelSnr

Create Your Card Flip Card Over