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

# 621 rangerrick012 @ 07/18/13 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herky


	Obannon is just mad because he didn't end up being an NBA player. Do you really think if he was playing in that league he'd care about this? He's just a bitter former athlete who never made it big. Same with Sam Keller. Paying college kids opens up a can of worms because they you have to look at every single sport. Football on down to field hockey. How do you determine who gets what? As a former Division 1 track athlete, I understand the difference between sports, the income they bring, being a poor college student athlete, and having the university make money off kids, but in the end these guys and gals are getting school paid for. They also get perks your average student doesn't get. I knew plenty of former teammates and players who had nice cars and got very good interest rates because of who they were. That's just one example but I could go on. In short, if you want to pay players you have to pay all of them and how do you quantify who gets what?

Guys like Bill Russell are also part of the suit. Is he just a "bitter" guy too?

In a perfect world, athletes would get paid based on how much revenue a short brings to a school.

# 622 aholbert32 @ 07/18/13 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herky


	I can't see a EA college football title lasting long without the NCAA license to be honest. They might be able to put back in cool last features such as suspension and celebrations, but I don't think they will be able to feature all the schools and conferences. Plus, would awards and bowls have their real life names attached to them? I don't want a Tangerine Bowl or National Title Bowl in place of real life bowl games and stadiums. I just think this will end up being a peeled back version of what we are used to. The gameplay might be nice, but the realism, depth, and naming if schools/conferences/bowls/awards probably won't be the same. I really hope 2K picks up the license but we are probably looking at a 2 year cycle before that is polished. I have mixed feelings about EA losing the license. Yes they did get rather lazy on current gen with development, but they had the pieces in place. Now someone will have to start over on building a deep college football game.

For the last time:

THE NCAA LICENSE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE UNIVERSITIES OR BOWLS OR AWARDS THAT ARE IN THE GAME.

EA HAS ALWAYS NEGOTIATED WITH THEM SEPARATELY!

# 623 Herky @ 07/18/13 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMBrown


	We survived just fine in the old Bill Walsh College Football days. We'll be fine now.

I remember playing 10 Yard Fight on NES and thinking that was great. Same with the all the Tecmo Bowls.

We will all live, but I just would hate to have to go back to the way things were 12 to 15 years ago in terms of depth in a college football game. We've gotten used to a pretty deep product with EA and now things might be scaled back.

Like I said, I hope 2K jumps into the game because they made some fantastic sports games. College Hoops 2K8 still gets play out of me with the updated rosters. The presentation is still amazing in that game.

# 624 LegendKilla13 @ 07/18/13 09:55 AM

might have to pick up NCAA 14 now. was gonna wait for next gen

# 625 rangerrick012 @ 07/18/13 09:56 AM

Quote:


	The conclusion: The fair market value for the average FBS football player is $137,357 per year, and the fair market value for the average men's basketball player is $289,031 per year. Right now the average player earns just $23,204 in scholarship money.

http://www.businessinsider.com/heres...#ixzz2ZOwokZlM

I don't think players should get 50% of all revenue, but they definitely aren't getting their fair share right now.

# 626 Herky @ 07/18/13 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	For the last time: THE NCAA LICENSE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE UNIVERSITIES OR BOWLS OR AWARDS THAT ARE IN THE GAME. EA HAS ALWAYS NEGOTIATED WITH THEM SEPARATELY!

But would they be able to include everything from stadiums, fight songs and updated uniforms? Would every school that was in NCAA 14 be able to be in College Football 15? Are we looking at nothing changing at all from the license not being renewed?

There are no many conflicting views on this.

# 627 GisherJohn24 @ 07/18/13 10:07 AM

What about the Bowl games? Would they stay? And for music, I got custom soundtracks, problem solved...

# 628 bluengold34_OS @ 07/18/13 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerrick012


	http://www.businessinsider.com/heres...#ixzz2ZOwokZlM I don't think players should get 50% of all revenue, but they definitely aren't getting their fair share right now.

I just don't understand how this is any different than what happens in life after college. My Wife is a food scientist, and she created a very prominent product that is in the open market for public consumption right now, while working for her previous company. She has since left the company, and has secured employment with a different company.

She received her salary, but not a dime from the millions that her past company is raking in at the moment from the products sales in the fast food industry. When my Wife signed her contract with her previous company, she knew that whatever she created was the property of said company, even though she was the innovator and creator of said product -

While I understand that it sucks to be a athlete in college, and not get paid(I was one) these athletes know what they are doing when they sign their name to the dotted line on the Letter of Intent. Is it fair - probably not - but life really isn't about fair is it?

# 629 aholbert32 @ 07/18/13 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herky


	But would they be able to include everything from stadiums, fight songs and updated uniforms? Would every school that was in NCAA 14 be able to be in College Football 15? Are we looking at nothing changing at all from the license not being renewed? There are no many conflicting views on this.

Yes. There are no conflicting views here. Just people providing false info.

The NCAA doesnt control the stadiums/uniforms/logos/bowls/awards/fight songs. The CLC does for most of the schools. A few schools partner with another company and Notre Dame does it on their own. The Bowls always negotiated separately. Same with the awards.

The CLC/Bowls/Awards have no risk of legitimate litigation by continuing to be in the game. These schools arent going to turn away free money because the NCAA is in a lawsuit.

# 630 JTommy67 @ 07/18/13 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	For the last time: THE NCAA LICENSE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE UNIVERSITIES OR BOWLS OR AWARDS THAT ARE IN THE GAME. EA HAS ALWAYS NEGOTIATED WITH THEM SEPARATELY!

Sorry to break it to you man, but looks like you're gonna to have to repeat this again and again and again because people in this thread just ain't gettin' it.

IMO getting the NCAA out of the way is a blessing.

# 631 aholbert32 @ 07/18/13 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTommy67


	Sorry to break it to you man, but looks like you're gonna to have to repeat this again and again and again because people in this thread just ain't gettin' it. IMO getting the NCAA out of the way is a blessing.

I know! The title of the thread says the NCAA series is dead. The article on the front page of OS has a quote from EA saying that it will continue the series with the CLC. Its not rocket science people.

# 632 aholbert32 @ 07/18/13 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School SD Fan


	If EA has to approach 100 schools individually for licenses this game will be over. Or they will at least be forced to limit themselves to fewer schools, likely just the major programs. But if they can pull it off perhaps they can put life back into this title by returning celebrations and more of the exciting atmosphere of college ball which was removed due to stodgy NCAA oversight.

They dont. The CLC represents over 100 schools.

# 633 Guapo516 @ 07/18/13 10:50 AM

The article says college football 15 is already in production for next gen.

# 634 BrandH @ 07/18/13 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old School SD Fan


	If EA has to approach 100 schools individually for licenses this game will be over. Or they will at least be forced to limit themselves to fewer schools, likely just the major programs. But if they can pull it off perhaps they can put life back into this title by returning celebrations and more of the exciting atmosphere of college ball which was removed due to stodgy NCAA oversight.

JUST read the thread!!!!!!!!!! This thread has caused me to think a lot less about people's comprehension skills. I now realize why online gaming seems like it is been taking over by a bunch of 5th graders. Its because that seems to be a lot of peoples reading level.

There are 2 major people EA has to deal with to use Universities Logos, names, stadiums and such. The NCAA has NOTHING to do with it. These two entities can't be sued by former players (or at least have it go anywhere if they tried) because they control NOTHING about the players. The worst possible scenario is that instead of Texas A&M having a tiny white HEisman trophy winner as their QB it will be a 6-6 Black dude. For those that said it will make the CLC rethink giving EA the license why would a lawsuit matter? They will still take their money.

# 635 SpartyParty11 @ 07/18/13 11:04 AM

The series isn't dead, the name NCAA is dead. Not a big deal. I'm a bit glad they got rid of NCAA. So many rules to follow. Pretty much will be the same game, just won't see the NCAA logo anywhere. I'm just glad they kept the name relevant instead of calling it "Lee Corso's College Football 15"

# 636 MrSerendipity @ 07/18/13 11:07 AM

Reading comprehension seems to be at an all time low in this thread. Ladies and Gents, NCAA is removing it's brand from the EA College Football Game entitled 'NCAA Football'. This does not mean that it will be the last game, as all EA is truly losing is a brand (Herein: The NCAA Logo and Trademark). The series will continue once EA has reached out to the appropriate parties that represent the school. These parties include the CLC, Notre Dame and another party that supports schools like USC and etc. While it may not be a smooth transition, production of the game will not end.

# 637 LowerWolf @ 07/18/13 11:20 AM

With the NCAA out of the way, I can see EA adding an option for a full-blown 16-team playoff in the next game. That's a plus.

When they do rename the series, I hope they fix the year and make it College Football 14. Bugs me that it's NCAA 14 for the 2013 season.

# 638 Marino @ 07/18/13 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAJUN COMMISH


	O'Bannon & Keller are prime examples of guys who couldn't cut it in life and now want someone else to pay.

That's not true. The NCAA is basically pimping the players for free revenue and O'Bannon and Keller just want athletes to get their fair share. I think if anyone is evil in this, it is the NCAA.

# 639 LowerWolf @ 07/18/13 11:27 AM

I don't think the players should get paid - they're supposed to be amateurs after all. But then, I don't think the NCAA should be able to enter into license and sponsorship agreements worth millions of millions of dollars either.

From that standpoint, I have no problem with O'Bannon and Keller.

# 640 TDenverFan @ 07/18/13 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerrick012


	http://www.businessinsider.com/heres...#ixzz2ZOwokZlM I don't think players should get 50% of all revenue, but they definitely aren't getting their fair share right now.

For whatever reason clicking on that article is making my computer crash (It's a fairly old laptop) but that number seems off. Maybe for AQ conferences, but many teams lose money on their football team (This article says just 22 made a profit, though it's from 09/10 http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2...rograms_m.html). Are those athletes expected to pay back their schools (Obviously not, that's a stupid idea)?

Even if more teams start breaking even, many players don't honestly contribute. There are plenty of scholarshipped players who only play for a few snaps a year, thus not making money for their schools. How does one figure out how much profit a guy makes for his school?

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