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

# 341 BBallcoach @ 07/17/13 05:56 PM

So they will go to each conference, and get teams and unlimited slots for TB hopefully!

# 342 GisherJohn24 @ 07/17/13 05:57 PM

2K is reading the headlines trust me. Now we have an even playing field. Again. Now we just need the NFL to follow suit.

# 343 Strings74 @ 07/17/13 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolt957


	And through all of this, we the fans are the ones who have to suffer, as well as the possible lost jobs of these employees. It's always gonna be that one person who ruins it for everyone. I hope the O'Bannon guy is happy with this.

I think he's completely justified and I hope he wins the case. College athletes are exploited to high heaven, imo.

# 344 laxman490 @ 07/17/13 05:58 PM

they were talking about this on local sports radio:

put something in the scholarship where the player waives the right to sue because of videogames using their likeness or they cant take the scholarship. i dont know if many would agree to that or how that would affect walkons though.

# 345 Strings74 @ 07/17/13 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	2K is reading the headlines trust me. Now we have an even playing field. Again. Now we just need the NFL to follow suit.

Let's hope. C'mon 2k. We need ya.

# 346 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strings74


	Source? Not being a wiseass, honestly asking. I have not read this about 2k and the CLC and would like to. However, times change.

Do a search on OS in the CB forum to find the article when 2k announced it wasnt continuing the CB2k series. You will find plenty of posts and articles about it.

One other thing is Owen Good confirmed today that Take Two isnt a fan of licensed products. The three licenses it owns are from games that are either...huge sellers (NBA)....purchased for nothing during a bankruptcy (WWE)...or cost next to nothing (MLB after MLB 2k12).

# 347 Strings74 @ 07/17/13 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	Do a search on OS in the CB forum to find the article when 2k announced it wasnt continuing the CB2k series. You will find plenty of posts and articles about it. One other thing is Owen Good confirmed today that Take Two isnt a fan of licensed products. The three licenses it owns are from games that are either...huge sellers (NBA)....purchased for nothing during a bankruptcy (WWE)...or cost next to nothing (MLB after MLB 2k12).

I checked it out. They last put out a game in 2002. That's a million years ago.

You may certainly be correct but 2k's past experience may not be determinative 11 years later.

# 348 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	2K is reading the headlines trust me. Now we have an even playing field. Again. Now we just need the NFL to follow suit.

LOL.

HOW IS IT EVEN??????

EA still has the license. EA is still releasing a game.

EA even has the advantage of having a CF game they have been working on for years.

Do you know how difficult it would be for 2k to update APF2k8 to next gen and to a college game? Design 127 stadiums. Create all of those teams and still have to compete against a known commodity like EA.

I really think you guys must not like 2k if you are encouraging them to make a college game after they lost money on the last one they released.

# 349 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strings74


	I checked it out. They last put out a game in 2002. That's a million years ago. You may certainly be correct but 2k's past experience may not be determinative 11 years later.

The quote from Good was made today. Also 2k last put out a CLC licensed game in 2007 with NCAA2k8. 2k isnt interested in purchasing big licenses that wont sell multi millions. EA is selling 1.5 cross platform with no competition and an established game. 2k isnt going to do those number with a brand new game and competition from EA.

# 350 mestevo @ 07/17/13 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GisherJohn24


	2K is reading the headlines trust me. Now we have an even playing field. Again. Now we just need the NFL to follow suit.

As far as 2k is concerned this changes nothing for them, EA already lost exclusivity last year effective 2014.

# 351 BrockOchoGOAT @ 07/17/13 06:14 PM

For all of those saying that they hope 2K makes the game again because it would be tons better then EAs, slow down a bit. Personally, I have always much preffered EA's football games over 2Ks. You may feel otherwise, and that is certainly your right. However, 2K basketball games are not perfect, and football gameplay is much harder to produce.

I'm not saying EA has it perfect, but I enjoy the game every year. It sounds like people expect 2K to make a perfect football game if they gave it a shot, and that is an expectation that is just begging to get crushed. I do not think it is very likely to happen anyway, but if it did, I can see thousands of hardcore 2k fans being let down.

# 352 noplace @ 07/17/13 06:14 PM

Lol...Well I guess they have to change their "Its in the game" moniker... Dude at Gamestop wasn�t lying after all.. Hopefully 2k looks at this as a even playing field and re-enters the game as competition...Let�s go 2K!!!

# 353 areobee401 @ 07/17/13 06:15 PM

Steve had me pretty bummed earlier today when he first sent out the Tweet stating the possible end of NCAA Football on consoles.

Good to see all that has been cleared up since then.

# 354 huskeraddict @ 07/17/13 06:15 PM

People thinking this opens the door for 2K are incredibly clueless.

# 355 The JareBear @ 07/17/13 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrockOchoGOAT


	For all of those saying that they hope 2K makes the game again because it would be tons better then EAs, slow down a bit. Personally, I have always much preffered EA's football games over 2Ks. You may feel otherwise, and that is certainly your right. However, 2K basketball games are not perfect, and football gameplay is much harder to produce. I'm not saying EA has it perfect, but I enjoy the game every year. It sounds like people expect 2K to make a perfect football game if they gave it a shot, and that is an expectation that is just begging to get crushed. I do not think it is very likely to happen anyway, but if it did, I can see thousands of hardcore 2k fans being let down.

This might open the floodgates.

*buckles seatbelt*

# 356 RaychelSnr @ 07/17/13 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strings74


	I checked it out. They last put out a game in 2002. That's a million years ago. You may certainly be correct but 2k's past experience may not be determinative 11 years later.

2K won't be developing a college football game, for a variety of reasons. Just take that for what it's worth.

# 357 DJ @ 07/17/13 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quint75


	I will believe the series is still alive when EA makes it official. I'm sorry but this means a lot to me; it's the main reason I am still a gamer at 47 years of age and I feel like I have just been punched in the face repeatedly. I have lots of real world responsibilities and gaming is my escape and the NCAA series is the only game I play year round. I literally just stopped playing '13 the week before '14's early release. IMO there are still a lot of variables before "College Football 15" gets made. The CLC license needs to be re-upped. The teams not covered by the CLC need to be dealt with. Most importantly, the O'Bannon case cannot end badly for EA or all bets are off. I love all the optimism here, I really do. I just can't share it right now because I am so damned worried. I have been dreaming of the next-gen college football game for a while now. I certainly hope we get one.

Right, there's still a chance NCAA 14 is the last game. If the lawsuit goes badly for EA, that will likely end its involvement in making a CFB game.

I don't think the CLC will have an issue re-upping with EA, though, so that is promising.

# 358 GisherJohn24 @ 07/17/13 06:22 PM

@DJ someone will make a college game again..don't worry. If not ea, then someone else. The NCAA makes a ton on video games. They will be back. Until then, you got your backlog of NCAA games to get your fix.

# 359 Mazarati 2012 @ 07/17/13 06:23 PM

Its a shame that the NCAA bailed but it's understandable. College sports is big business, especially football. I personally feel like this: If a college football game is never made again, my PS3 will no longer be useful to me nor will I even think about getting the PS4.

# 360 lsuandduke @ 07/17/13 06:23 PM

EA Sports will still have college football video game beyond 2014, just won't be affiliated w/NCAA
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) July 17, 2013

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