NCAA Football 14 News Post

NCAA Will Not Renew EA Sports Contract, NCAA Football Series is Dead in Name Only

03:24 PM - July 17, 2013 by FloorGeneral

The NCAA has decided today, unilaterally it appears, to not renew their license with EA Sports for the NCAA Football video game beginning next year.

In the statement, the NCAA said, "The NCAA has made the decision not to enter a new contract for the license of its name and logo for the EA Sports NCAA Football video game. The current contract expires in June 2014, but our timing is based on the need to provide EA notice for future planning. As a result, the NCAA Football 2014 video game will be the last to include the NCAA�s name and logo. We are confident in our legal position regarding the use of our trademarks in video games. But given the current business climate and costs of litigation, we determined participating in this game is not in the best interests of the NCAA."

EA should still be able to work out individual school, conference, awards, etc. licenses from the CLC -- which should mean the series should be able to live on. At the end of the day, this is the NCAA taking it's name and logo off of the game, but nothing more it appears. So while the series can't be called "NCAA Football" anymore, perhaps with the ESPN license the series can be called "EA Sports College Gameday 15" next season.

The only way this ends the NCAA Football series altogether is if one of two further scenarios happen: 1)If EA Sports decides it is done with the series altogether, which is doubtful given it's a top seller in the US. 2)If the CLC won't play ball with EA Sports, and thus EA has to negotiate licenses individually from member institutions

It is possible EA Sports will not continue development of the game after this year because of either reason, or because of fears of financial fallout from the Ed O'Bannon lawsuit. However, there is no guarantee EA will face huge financial problems from the O'Bannon lawsuit, and in a sense -- the threat of the O'Bannon lawsuit ending the series is the same today as it was yesterday.

I EA wants to they can continue the game with purely cosmetic changes and greater creative freedom without the NCAA hovering above the game. And let's face it, the less the NCAA is involved in anything, the better it will be.

So in a sense, the only thing different today versus yesterday with regards to the NCAA Football series is that it is no longer the NCAA Football series going forward. Everything thing else remains the same.

UPDATE: Brett McMurphy of ESPN is reporting ESPN has been told EA Sports will still have a college football video game beyond 2014, next year's game will be called College Football 15.

UPDATE #2: According to ESPN's Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell the CLC, which handles school, bowl, awards, etc. licensing, says it plans to work with EA in the future despite the NCAA dropping out.

UPDATE #3: EA Sports Executive Vice President Andrew Wilson speaks. In a statement, Wilson said, "EA SPORTS will continue to develop and publish college football games, but we will no longer include the NCAA names and marks. Our relationship with the Collegiate Licensing Company is strong and we are already working on a new game for next generation consoles which will launch next year and feature the college teams, leagues and all the innovation fans expect from EA SPORTS.

We took big creative strides with this year's college game and you�ll see much more in the future. We love college football and look forward to making more games for our fans."

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Member Comments

# 201 storky11 @ 07/17/13 04:30 PM

This may have been posted already, in which case I am sorry, but the thread is growing faster than I can read lol

But the way I look at it, as long as they can perfect what they have in this years game, worst case scenario we will be able to update rosters into the future. Not sure if this would be feasible or not, but EA could continue to add and patch in updated uniforms in the years to come. Not sure if this would work or not, but figured it was an idea worth mentioning.

# 202 FSUNolez @ 07/17/13 04:30 PM

Technically, could EA Sports just release '15 a month early since the contract doesn't end till June of 2014?

# 203 Reed1417 @ 07/17/13 04:30 PM

This is kind of a surprise to me. But not really at the same time given what's going on with the O'Bannon case. However we will have to wait and see what happens as far as the video game goes.

# 204 woodjer @ 07/17/13 04:31 PM

Regarding the game: It will be there next year. The schools, conferences, etc. have always licensed their own logos. EA has already done this for years so it's not something new. Those that think big name schools are going to hold out for more money are entitled to that thought. Honestly, I suspect that they get a LOT more from the sale of jerseys, shirts, hats, tickets, and concessions than they do on the sale of a video game. aholbert (and others, I believe) have already pointed this out.

Regarding the "EA forum" post: As others have said, let's wait until someone with credibility says this. I find it odd that the NCAA announced this today and EA has already held all of the necessary meetings with their legal department, AR & AP departments, design teams, etc. to make a decision. Besides, why bother with a Dec. 1 end date at all? In general, if you're going to be let go, businesses don't typically give you a week's notice, let alone 4+ months. That would just be an invitation to steal the code and sell it to the highest bidder.

# 205 Steve_OS @ 07/17/13 04:31 PM

FYI.

The OP has been updated w/ more information. Read it before responding.

Nobody from the NCAA Football team is getting the ax in December. C'mon man.

# 206 K0ZZ @ 07/17/13 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cletus42o


	If it's so easy for them to continue the series WITHOUT NCAA, then why the hell didn't they get rid of them years ago so they could do whatever they wanted? If it was unnecessary to begin with, I can't imagine EA would have wanted the contract themselves..

Because when you're in a contract you can't just randomly opt out, I'm sure there's fines associated with not using the license they are contracted to use. I know that EA got hit with a fine for not putting out a NBA game while holding the license.

Legitimately, this could be the end of NCAA football or just a rebranding, and I'm hoping towards the later. Madden gets too stale for me, way too fast. Like others have said, it comes down to what side the CLC falls on the matter.

# 207 Bigsheen @ 07/17/13 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cletus42o


	If it's so easy for them to continue the series WITHOUT NCAA, then why the hell didn't they get rid of them years ago so they could do whatever they wanted? If it was unnecessary to begin with, I can't imagine EA would have wanted the contract themselves..

Because its a game based on the NCAA. They are obviously going to want to have the name on the product for money purposes.

# 208 Dogslax41 @ 07/17/13 04:31 PM

Those using the CLC as a security blanket as comfort that the game is not going anywhere better start pulling for O'Bannon's team to win this lawsuit. Those thinking the CLC can do what it wants with the licenses better remember who makes the rules for college football and who decides who is/is not eligible to compete in intercollegiate football.

# 209 K0ZZ @ 07/17/13 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogslax41


	Those using the CLC as a security blanket as comfort that the game is not going anywhere better start pulling for O'Bannon's team to win this lawsuit. Those thinking the CLC can do what it wants with the licenses better remember who makes the rules for college football and who decides who is/is not eligible to compete in intercollegiate football.

If NCAA tried coercion like that, I'm sure that would cause more problems than benefits.

# 210 Dogslax41 @ 07/17/13 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortobc


	The law suit is against NCAA not EA. OBannon is pissed because NCAA didn't share the profits from selling "the players image". The players have no basis to sue EA IMHO. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

It's against EA as well. They were co-conspirators in the antitrust issue.

# 211 storky11 @ 07/17/13 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSUNolez


	Technically, could EA Sports just release '15 a month early since the contract doesn't end till June of 2014?

This would be a good idea, but after next year they (and by "they," I mean "we") would be screwed. It would buy a little more time though.

# 212 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_OS


	FYI. The OP has been updated w/ more information. Read it before responding. Nobody from the NCAA Football team is getting the ax in December. C'mon man.

Thank you Steve.

Rumors like that make me hate the internet.

# 213 kyblueblood @ 07/17/13 04:35 PM

The reason the even put the NCAA logo on it was because they had sole claim of a contract with the NCAA. Keeping NCAA on their game shut out competitors, because if the option is there most people would buy the one that said NCAA. I am 100% confident the game continues to be made, those of you freaking out need to take a chill pill and stop jumping to conclusions, let some facts come out before rushing to a decision, holy cow America chill ooooouuuuuuutttttt.

# 214 cletus42o @ 07/17/13 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsheen


	Because its a game based on the NCAA. They are obviously going to want to have the name on the product for money purposes.

I can't recall ever hearing someone ask "hey did you catch the latest NCAA football game?" I believe you, of course, I just never thought the NCAA was a strong brand to consumers.

# 215 The_Wise_One @ 07/17/13 04:36 PM

So this could all actually be a good thing? Now I'm really confused.

So the NCAA logo will be the ONLY thing gone if the rest falls into place? Somebody help me out here.

# 216 Dogslax41 @ 07/17/13 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagopax


	If NCAA tried coercion like that, I'm sure that would cause more problems than benefits.

It's not coercion. Its a matter of the definition of amateur. The issue in the O'Bannon case is an amateur's status and their ability to self market and get fair market value for their likeness and rights. If the NCAA dictates what consittutes an amateur then the CLC will have to tread very carefully with how they handle the licenses and how Universities receive compensation for the college football product.

# 217 BrandH @ 07/17/13 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogslax41


	Those using the CLC as a security blanket as comfort that the game is not going anywhere better start pulling for O'Bannon's team to win this lawsuit. Those thinking the CLC can do what it wants with the licenses better remember who makes the rules for college football and who decides who is/is not eligible to compete in intercollegiate football.

What is your reasoning for saying this? Sorry, but you really didn't say much here. Whether O'Bannon wins or not how does that prevent Michigan or any other school from allowing their universities Stadium and Uniform from being used? If all 127 school are lumped together with CLC then yes they can do what they want with their "Likenesses" apart from the actual players.

# 218 RaychelSnr @ 07/17/13 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortobc


	The law suit is against NCAA not EA. OBannon is pissed because NCAA didn't share the profits from selling "the players image". The players have no basis to sue EA IMHO. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

It's against EA as well actually.

# 219 xayoz306 @ 07/17/13 04:38 PM

Just to point out, the CLC contract is still valid, and has yet to expire. Now, not sure what the terms of that contract are, but most of the time, a contract indicates that they must still fulfill the terms, which means producing a game.

So, no NCAA Football, but most likely a College Football.

# 220 RaychelSnr @ 07/17/13 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogslax41


	Those using the CLC as a security blanket as comfort that the game is not going anywhere better start pulling for O'Bannon's team to win this lawsuit. Those thinking the CLC can do what it wants with the licenses better remember who makes the rules for college football and who decides who is/is not eligible to compete in intercollegiate football.

And if the NCAA thinks they have that much power, just wait until the SEC, Big Ten, Big XII, ACC, and Pac 12 all leave and do their own thing -- which they could easily do.

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