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NCAA Football 14 News Post


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
# 401 RaychelSnr @ 07/17/13 06:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr2Nice
So that doesn't mean they can be sued because of player likeness? You know thats the whole reason this lawsuit is in place right? No ones sueing because the NCAA logo. There sueing because college kids are having to pay for a game that they are in. No one cares about the NCAA logo lol.
The CLC has nothing to do with player likenesses. It (the CLC) is all about school, conference logos, etc. This is simple law stuff and why the CLC has nothing to do with the lawsuit on hand.
 
# 402 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 06:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr2Nice
Can U then tell me why The NCAA has broken their agreement with EA? Then why won't the CLC do the same? You think they wanna spend money on lawyers when the NCAA doesn't even wanna do it?
The CLC isnt being sued. The CLC only manages schools marks including uniforms/stadiums/names etc. Suing the CLC would be like suing ESPN for licensing its ESPN mark in a game that features player likenesses. I actually know the lawyer who is defending the case for EA personally (worked with her for 10 yrs) and have spoken to her about this before. O'bannon and Keller's lawyers sued the parties that are most responsible and likely to be held liable. The CLC would not be.
 
# 403 hazey @ 07/17/13 06:55 PM
I understand the situation with the CLC licensing colleges. What about conferences and bowl games? And the National Championship playoff system in the near future? They could easily do playoffs not related to NCAA. Just wondering if anyone knows if conferences are represented through the NCAA or through the CLC?
 
# 404 Perfect Zero @ 07/17/13 06:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by PVarck31
They just announced there will be a game next year. Next-gen at that.
So how are you enjoying NBA Elite?
 
# 405 RaychelSnr @ 07/17/13 06:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by hazey
I understand the situation with the CLC licensing colleges. What about conferences and bowl games? And the National Championship playoff system in the near future? They could easily do playoffs not related to NCAA. Just wondering if anyone knows if conferences are represented through the NCAA or through the CLC?
Through the CLC.

If nothing else, gamers are getting a lesson in how little the NCAA matters in most all but the rules of college athletics. Not a huge stretch to see big conferences break away from the NCAA in the not too distant future. Everything minus enforcement is already there.
 
# 406 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 06:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perfect Zero
So how are you enjoying NBA Elite?
Bad comparison.
 
# 407 The JareBear @ 07/17/13 06:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aholbert32
Bad comparison.
Yeah I thought that was a bit of a reach, and I'm an idiot.
 
# 408 The JareBear @ 07/17/13 06:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by MMChrisS
Through the CLC.

If nothing else, gamers are getting a lesson in how little the NCAA matters in most all but the rules of college athletics. Not a huge stretch to see big conferences break away from the NCAA in the not too distant future. Everything minus enforcement is already there.
Interesting.
 
# 409 Mr2Nice @ 07/17/13 06:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aholbert32
The CLC isnt being sued. The CLC only manages schools marks including uniforms/stadiums/names etc. Suing the CLC would be like suing ESPN for licensing its ESPN mark in a game that features player likenesses. I actually know the lawyer who is defending the case for EA personally (worked with her for 10 yrs) and have spoken to her about this before. O'bannon and Keller's lawyers sued the parties that are most responsible and likely to be held liable. The CLC would not be.
I was referring to the future with them not that they are now being sued. If they think after all this either way win or lose someone else or a group of people won't sue for this their nuts. As for your example with ESPN they sign a contract. Kids sign a scholarship. All this would be resolved if they would just pay the kids like they should.
 
# 410 jmik58 @ 07/17/13 06:59 PM
Regarding the CLC question:

If you sell a banana to someone you're assuming they are going to eat it. If they breeze said banana and kill someone with the rock-hard fruit, you are not liable for that person's death.

The CLC is selling the banana. EA Sports froze it and killed someone.

Regarding the removal of the NCAA:

The NCAA does not own colleges. It does not own logos or names other than the NCAA logo and the name "NCAA".

If you own a food market and the CLC shows up to buy a banana that will later be sold to EA Sports (who may or may not freeze it to kill someone), but the banana distributor decides it no longer wants you to sell their product, so they pull the contract. That doesn't mean your food market is gone. You still have all other foods with individual agreements with each distributor to sell it. It just means you're all going to need some potassium pills because of your banana deficiency.

EA Sports College Football is the food market owner. The NCAA is the banana dealer.
 
# 411 Cusefan @ 07/17/13 07:00 PM
I am curious if this leaves the door open for another developer like VC to make a game.
 
# 412 Perfect Zero @ 07/17/13 07:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by aholbert32
Bad comparison.
But it's the same idea. Just because there are plans to have a game ready to go for next-generation consoles doesn't mean that it's set in stone. Heck, EA has proven that they can trash a game at any time during the production process.

I'm not saying that this is the absolute end, but there are a number of hurdles to climb over in order for them to make another game. Licensing isn't the entire issue; stockholders are starting to wonder where their money is going with EA. If there has to be cuts, it would be logical to go with the game that has to start over with some rather important licensing pieces (i.e. licenses outside of CLC).
 
# 413 PVarck31 @ 07/17/13 07:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perfect Zero
So how are you enjoying NBA Elite?
I don't appreciate the attitude, but anyway.

EA would not come out so quickly and strongly with a statement if they weren't sure a game wouldn't be released. This is a totally different situation than their NBA games. But believe what you want.
 
# 414 mvb34 @ 07/17/13 07:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by richmondn96
Statement from EA:

http://www.ea.com/news/update-on-ea-...llege-football

"This is simple: 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. "
Hopefully they could add a real playoff system on next generation

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
 
# 415 DorianDonP @ 07/17/13 07:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perfect Zero
It's important to note that even though EA can still go through the CLC, CLC does not have the rights to everything currently in the game. Conferences such as the PAC-12 and B1G and Bowls such as the Fiesta are not under their umbrella.
.
The NCAA doesn't either, so I guess I'm missing your point. EA will have to do what they have always done to get the licensees for their games.
 
# 416 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 07:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr2Nice
I was referring to the future with them not that they are now being sued. If they think after all this either way win or lose someone else or a group of people won't sue for this their nuts. As for your example with ESPN they sign a contract. Kids sign a scholarship. All this would be resolved if they would just pay the kids like they should.
For a major corporation whether its EA or CLC or the one I work for, getting sued is a part of doing business. We make decisions based on whether we would lose a suit....not because of the threat of being sued.

Also, I bet anyone EA's and NCAA's insurance is covering the cost of this lawsuit. It may hurt EA's stock price but they arent losing money yet.
 
# 417 GisherJohn24 @ 07/17/13 07:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmik58
Regarding the CLC question:

If you sell a banana to someone you're assuming they are going to eat it. If they breeze said banana and kill someone with the rock-hard fruit, you are not liable for that person's death.

The CLC is selling the banana. EA Sports froze it and killed someone.

Regarding the removal of the NCAA:

The NCAA does not own colleges. It does not own logos or names other than the NCAA logo and the name "NCAA".

If you own a food market and the CLC shows up to buy a banana that will later be sold to EA Sports (who may or may not freeze it to kill someone), but the banana distributor decides it no longer wants you to sell their product, so they pull the contract. That doesn't mean your food market is gone. You still have all other foods with individual agreements with each distributor to sell it. It just means you're all going to need some potassium pills because of your banana deficiency.

EA Sports College Football is the food market owner. The NCAA is the banana dealer.


Haha. Like bringing bananas into it!!
 
# 418 Perfect Zero @ 07/17/13 07:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by PVarck31
I don't appreciate the attitude, but anyway.

EA would not come out so quickly and strongly with a statement if they weren't sure a game wouldn't be released. This is a totally different situation than their NBA games. But believe what you want.
It was simply a rhetorical question. I meant no offense by it.
 
# 419 Mr2Nice @ 07/17/13 07:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmik58
Regarding the CLC question:

If you sell a banana to someone you're assuming they are going to eat it. If they breeze said banana and kill someone with the rock-hard fruit, you are not liable for that person's death.

The CLC is selling the banana. EA Sports froze it and killed someone.

Regarding the removal of the NCAA:

The NCAA does not own colleges. It does not own logos or names other than the NCAA logo and the name "NCAA".

If you own a food market and the CLC shows up to buy a banana that will later be sold to EA Sports (who may or may not freeze it to kill someone), but the banana distributor decides it no longer wants you to sell their product, so they pull the contract. That doesn't mean your food market is gone. You still have all other foods with individual agreements with each distributor to sell it. It just means you're all going to need some potassium pills because of your banana deficiency.

EA Sports College Football is the food market owner. The NCAA is the banana dealer.
To say the very least the past few years of NCAA Football will become a collectiable
 
# 420 aholbert32 @ 07/17/13 07:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cusefan
I am curious if this leaves the door open for another developer like VC to make a game.
Nothing has changed on that front. The NCAA isnt going to sign another deal with a video game company until the Obannon case is resolved.

Any video game company can negotiate a deal with the CLC in 2014. The problem is most video game companies cant afford or dont want to pay the price of CLC license.
 


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