NCAA Football 14 News Post

SEC, Pac-12, Big Ten Won't License Trademarks in Future Video Games

11:56 AM - August 14, 2013 by vhhsfu0509

The Southeastern Conference announced today that it will not, as a conference, license its trademarks in the EA Sports NCAA Football video game. This decision does not involve member universities as of yet, as this only involves the SEC conference name and logo.

However, this could be the type of event that opens the flood gates to future defections from the game. While the future of the College Football series looked somewhat on stable ground after EA and the CLC agreed to a three year deal, this news rattles the very foundations and future of the series.

"Each school makes its own individual decision regarding whether or not to license their trademarks for use in the EA Sports game(s)," the SEC said in a statement. "The Southeastern Conference has chosen not to do so moving forward. Neither the SEC, its member universities, nor the NCAA have ever licensed the right to use the name or likeness of any student to EA Sports."

This is another move in response to the Ed O'Bannon case which could end collegiate video games forever given unfavorable rulings from the courts.

Today's news only brings more questions as to the viability of the product going forward.

UPDATE: ESPN's Kristi Dosh is reporting that the Big XII says they have yet to make a decision on the inclusion of their marks in future College Football video games.

UPDATE #2: ESPN is now reporting the Big Ten is out as well.

UPDATE #3: In a statement to Joystiq, a CLC representative said "150 collegiate institutions, including SEC schools, have approved renewal of the EA college football license, to begin with the 2015 edition. As with any licensed product, individual schools continue to make their own decisions."

We are putting in a question with the CLC on whether this means schools can still opt out of the game at any time or not as the wording certainly seems to leave that possibility open.

Update #4: Jeremy Fowler of CBS is reporting that the Pac-12's marks also won't be in the new game.

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Member Comments

# 181 BenGerman @ 08/14/13 04:42 PM

One theoretical scenario that hasn't been mentioned is players - in the very near future - could have contracts in the form of stipends. The argument I've seen is that it's a win/win for players and the universities. Schools get to use player likeness, and all student athletes are given some kind of weekly allowance. If this were to be the case, using a player's likeness may cease being an issue.

Another scenario is that conferences are staying away from EA and the NCAA just to see how the lawsuit plays out. If a settlement is reached, or EA wins outright, then schools/conferences may be more likely to sell their logo and usage to EA.

My guess is that, at some point (probably three years down the road), we will see the NCAA series come to a temporary end. After that, it's going to come down to if and when the NCAA can figure out a solution for likeness not to be an issue anymore. This isn't just an issue with EA, it's an issue with the entire NCAA. A resolution isn't really in site yet, but you can bet money that the current rules that are in place won't be there much longer. Once they are changed, we just have to hope that the rules are flexible enough for EA to resume making the game.

# 182 Hunkerdown @ 08/14/13 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nortobc


	#5 is apple and oranges. As we discussed earlier in this thread, EA wouldn't have competition that could make a game with the schools/conferences/players likeness.

My point was not the competition, it was that fully licensed game sales way better than a PES game that is a solid game, but with hardly any licensing.

# 183 huntt26 @ 08/14/13 04:47 PM

Just put a generic fully customizeable college mode in Madden and NBA Live. Then you can take your player from high school to the big show all in one game.

# 184 BenGerman @ 08/14/13 04:48 PM

Pac-12 out now as well. Looking more and more like there won't be an College Football game next year.

# 185 Scribe1980 @ 08/14/13 04:50 PM

SEC=Member Schools. Pac12=Member schools. B1G=Member schools.

Lawyers, guns and money kill things, kids.

# 186 RaychelSnr @ 08/14/13 04:50 PM

Can definitely confirm Pac-12 is out as well. That's (arguably) the three most lucrative conferences in the land not allowing the use of their marks/name within the game.

# 187 Ky3217 @ 08/14/13 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenGerman


	One theoretical scenario that hasn't been mentioned is players - in the very near future - could have contracts in the form of stipends. The argument I've seen is that it's a win/win for players and the universities. Schools get to use player likeness, and all student athletes are given some kind of weekly allowance. If this were to be the case, using a player's likeness may cease being an issue.

Schools have enough trouble paying for their sports programs in the first place. This wouldnt help at all

# 188 RandyBass @ 08/14/13 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenGerman


	One theoretical scenario that hasn't been mentioned is players - in the very near future - could have contracts in the form of stipends. The argument I've seen is that it's a win/win for players and the universities. Schools get to use player likeness, and all student athletes are given some kind of weekly allowance. If this were to be the case, using a player's likeness may cease being an issue. Another scenario is that conferences are staying away from EA and the NCAA just to see how the lawsuit plays out. If a settlement is reached, or EA wins outright, then schools/conferences may be more likely to sell their logo and usage to EA. My guess is that, at some point (probably three years down the road), we will see the NCAA series come to a temporary end. After that, it's going to come down to if and when the NCAA can figure out a solution for likeness not to be an issue anymore. This isn't just an issue with EA, it's an issue with the entire NCAA. A resolution isn't really in site yet, but you can bet money that the current rules that are in place won't be there much longer. Once they are changed, we just have to hope that the rules are flexible enough for EA to resume making the game.

I really don't see that happening anytime soon. You're essentially saying the NCAA is going to turn into a semi-pro sports league. For that to happen you'd have to dismantle the entire current system, organize and set up another new system, deal with the inevitable labor unions, and do this all in the face of what would likely be a strong backlash...

Yeah, the NCAA ain't gonna take on that massive undertaking anytime soon. Why would they? What benefit would it be for them? So for anything like what you're suggesting to happen, schools looking to go this route would have to disassociate themselves from the NCAA all together, come up with another governing body to organize these things, and then get other schools to go along with them...

Like I say, ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

# 189 BenGerman @ 08/14/13 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ky3217


	Schools have enough trouble paying for their sports programs in the first place. This wouldnt help at all

If you do some research on it, there are several methods that schools could use to pay players stipends -- at minimal cost to themselves.

# 190 pietasterp @ 08/14/13 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	Can definitely confirm Pac-12 is out as well. That's (arguably) the three most lucrative conferences in the land not allowing the use of their marks/name within the game.

Last one out, shut off the lights....!

Will be very interesting to see what happens next...

# 191 kbones21 @ 08/14/13 05:02 PM

Well I'm not buying the new game, if I can't play as Cal in the Pac 12.

# 192 BenGerman @ 08/14/13 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyBass


	I really don't see that happening anytime soon. You're essentially saying the NCAA is going to turn into a semi-pro sports league. For that to happen you'd have to dismantle the entire current system, organize and set up another new system, deal with the inevitable labor unions, and do this all in the face of what would likely be a strong backlash... Yeah, the NCAA ain't gonna take on that massive undertaking anytime soon. Why would they? What benefit would it be for them? So for anything like what you're suggesting to happen, schools looking to go this route would have to disassociate themselves from the NCAA all together, come up with another governing body to organize these things, and then get other schools to go along with them... Like I say, ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

I'm almost 100% sure it will. Then again, I'm only going by what some of the biggest names in the business have said (ie Mike Slive). Paying players is something that will happen in the next five years. People say, "Why would the NCAA do that?". Well, the thing is, the NCAA is constantly under threat that any of the conferences could completely separate themselves from the NCAA. If conferences are calling for something to be done (which they are), then the NCAA is forced to try and comply.

The fact is, if you haven't been following the recent issues with the NCAA and its hypocrisy, that you aren't going to think twice about the whole thing. Just the other day, Jay Bilas busted the case wide open when he revealed that the NCAA's own online shop was using player's names to sell jerseys. People can continue to believe paying to play is never going to happen, but I'd argue those people are the very same ones who aren't paying much attention to the situation.

# 193 bowld @ 08/14/13 05:06 PM

Its over..

NCAA was the one on the hook in the past..they bounced

Individual conferences were going to now be on the hook with the NCAA out..they bounced

Now individual teams will be on the hook..only a matter of time before they bounce as well

# 194 Husker_OS @ 08/14/13 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aholbert32


	I dont get this line of thinking: One, I doubt this came as much of a surprise to EA and its lawyers after NCAA pulled out. Two, EA knows from its past that the only thing that matters is teams. If Alabama pulls out...thats huge. If the SEC pulls out its logo...thats not. Three, this actually saves EA money. They dont have to shell out a license fee just so they can use a logo. I dont get how this is bad for EA right now. When the schools start to pull out, thats when the problem begins but as I stated before what incentive does a school have to pull out? The CLC is already named in the suit. The CLC also provides protection (insurance and indemnification) when it comes to this lawsuit and all legal costs are shared amongst the schools. Why would a school pull itself out of the CLC (and thus out of EA's game) when staying will cost them no more money and pulling out means it doesnt get to share in EA's license money?

To blow your mind..

The founder and former CEO of CLC is the current AD at Alabama.

# 195 Ky3217 @ 08/14/13 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenGerman


	If you do some research on it, there are several methods that schools could use to pay players stipends -- at minimal cost to themselves.

Name some. Because from what I've seen, college sports are not money makers for schools.

And remember, if you're going to play football players, you have to pay scholarship athletes for every sport. It's just not something schools can afford.

Which is entirely besides the point that scholarship athletes already get enough as it is.

On topic: Im sure we'll be seeing more conferences backing out as they get a chance to meet about it. We'll probably see real schools playing in conferences like the "Pacific Conference" and "Southern Conference", etc.

# 196 BadAssHskr @ 08/14/13 05:17 PM

Adam rittenberg suggested on the radio that as unified as the big 10 is, he couldnt see any scenerio that individual teams will stay, as far as the big 10 is concerned

So well......

# 197 malowry @ 08/14/13 05:17 PM

Well, it looks like NCAA 14 is going to be my last NCAA game for a while. It's sad how money has completely ruined one of my favorite game franchises, but oh well. I guess that's an extra $60 for me next year.

# 198 seasprite @ 08/14/13 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husker_OS


	To blow your mind.. The founder and former CEO of CLC is the current AD at Alabama.

And.......Alabama was the first to join the CLC

# 199 seasprite @ 08/14/13 05:20 PM

Maybe this will force EA to produce a better product with having to not rely on the NCAA and conference branding.

# 200 BenGerman @ 08/14/13 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ky3217


	Name some. Because from what I've seen, college sports are not money makers for schools. And remember, if you're going to play football players, you have to pay scholarship athletes for every sport. It's just not something schools can afford. Which is entirely besides the point that scholarship athletes already get enough as it is. On topic: Im sure we'll be seeing more conferences backing out as they get a chance to meet about it. We'll probably see real schools playing in conferences like the "Pacific Conference" and "Southern Conference", etc.

Just to name a few...

Alabama's athletic department made $124 million dollars last year, Texas' made $120 million, Ohio State made $116 million, Florida's made $106 million, and Tennessee made $101 million. Like I said, just do a little research and you will see where I'm coming from.

I won't get into the whole "college athletes already get paid enough in scholarships" nonsense, but I will note that there are a lot of people (myself included) who could argue that that is not at all true either.

Anyway, athletic departments make a lot of money (not all, but most D1 schools), and plenty enough to give each of their athletes 50-100 bucks a week to quell all of this stuff.

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