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.

Game: NCAA Football 14Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 54 - View All

NCAA Football 14 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 Pezell04x @ 08/14/13 12:28 PM

# 22 Cryolemon @ 08/14/13 12:28 PM

I can't see this killing the game, as long as the SEC are the only one to pull out. If everyone else follows suit, and especially if any individual schools pull out (I'm thinking say ND) then it would probably kill the game.

# 23 vhhsfu0509 @ 08/14/13 12:29 PM

As frustrating as this issue is, we all have to understand the reasoning. Between decades of video games, jersey sales, etc. -- there is a ton of potential liability for the NCAA, conferences, and the member institutions. The O'Bannon lawsuit could just be the tip of the iceberg, much like the concussion issue in the NFL.

As another poster pointed out, the SEC is grossly profitable, and this was a smart business decision on their part...

# 24 RaychelSnr @ 08/14/13 12:29 PM

Lots of confusion, updated the original story a bit to note one big thing: This is just the conference name and logo, not the member universities.

.....yet. (Which is what I fear most about this story)

# 25 Cryolemon @ 08/14/13 12:30 PM

From the OS twitter feed:

Operation Sports ‏@operationsports 3m
RT @ChrisSnr: This decision by the SEC does NOT involve member universities though. Alabama, Vandy, etc. are still in the game as of now.

So it would seem that no schools have pulled out yet.

# 26 EricFreakingBerry @ 08/14/13 12:35 PM

I still just have this feeling there is middle ground out there to be reached. I don't think either side will be able to "win" per se based on the target goals each of them would like to see.

When this issue begins to migrate back to that middle ground, I just don't think it'll end as gloomily as everyone thinks it will. I think somewhere/somehow athletes will receive compensation from all this generated money, but I also think gamers will still be able to purchase a pretty similar college football product.

# 27 RebelHog @ 08/14/13 12:37 PM

Ed O'Bannon destroyed Arkansas chance at repeat in 1995 and now has destroyed my hobby. Damn you to hell sir.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

# 28 Cryolemon @ 08/14/13 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMBrown


	The key word being "yet"

Exactly. It's not an issue until a n individual school pulls out. That might make the dominoes fall.

Other tweet from the same source:

Chris Sanner ‏@ChrisSnr 2m
EA will basically will be using a generic name for the SEC, like "Southern Conference" or something like that. This from peeps who'd know.

# 29 kt-od @ 08/14/13 12:38 PM

Well, I guess I will be holding onto my copy of NCAA 14, since it will probably be the last game that will have the college football experience. That's sad to say.

# 30 GruffyMcGuiness @ 08/14/13 12:41 PM

Meh. I can life without them personally. Just need the ACC to be happy

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4

# 31 RaychelSnr @ 08/14/13 12:42 PM

From ESPN's Kristi Dosh (sports business reporter), the Big XII hasn't made a decision on the inclusion of their mark in future games.

# 32 Rampstrike @ 08/14/13 12:43 PM

Seems like the solution would be to produce any future college games (basketball, football, whatever...) using randomly generated players... just base their general level of quality based on the quality of the program. I'd still play such a game (especially if you can still edit players yourself), but I don't know how many share that opinion. Back in the Sega Genesis days I played college football because it had Michigan... the player numbers didn't even closely match the current squads. Just my opinion, anyway...

# 33 Cryolemon @ 08/14/13 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soonerfan09


	2k tried the generic football game route and lets not forget how that turned out

The lack of a license wasn't the main problem there. Idiotic marketing and poor customization are what killed that.

# 34 UH53 @ 08/14/13 12:46 PM

I know EA doesn't owe us anything but it would be really nice if they'd show us a little appreciation for supporting this game as long as we have and just keep up dating the game through DLC! They continue to update uniforms for years to come, it seems like they could update equipment too based on the new addition of Adidas Gloves that came in with the first Uni Update. Some helmet patches and cleat updates would make me along with the uni updates would make me a happy man and I'd like to assume it would make others too. The game plays well and it's challenging. I don't really care if the CPU completes high percentages and runs the read option really well. It just makes me focus that much harder to play the best game without a lot of mistakes... In all seriousness that is College Football! The first time that I've enjoyed this game in YEARS! Continue to update the game through DLC and even charge us if you have too.. I'll be fine with that but I'm pretty sure this game stops right here and NCAA 14 is the last hoorah! Continue to make it your best hoorah... People still talk about NFL 2K5 because they did the consumer right and made a great game. Think about your consumer and not your profit margin and you will gain respect and ultimately see your profits go up as a company!

# 35 Hey_Rebby @ 08/14/13 12:46 PM

Expect other major conferences to announce the same intentions in the next same days. If the SEC thinks there is cause for concern with licensing their marks, no doubt the Big Ten, Pac-12, etc. will follow through.

And who is involved with those decisions? College presidents and athletic directors. Schools will be dropping out next.

Game over

RIP NCAA Football

# 36 TrippyBeaver @ 08/14/13 12:47 PM

They could just make a new conference for them

The Southern University Conference sounds good.

SUC

# 37 Cryolemon @ 08/14/13 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey_Rebby


	Expect other major conferences to announce the same intentions in the next same days. If the SEC thinks there is cause for concern with licensing their marks, no doubt the Big Ten, Pac-12, etc. will follow through. And who is involved with those decisions? College presidents and athletic directors. Schools will be dropping out next. Game over RIP NCAA Football

Another tweet:

Operation Sports ‏@operationsports 2m
RT @ChrisSnr: From @SportsBizMiss -- The Big XII says they haven't yet made a decision on the inclusion of their marks in future games.

# 38 xcrushx @ 08/14/13 12:49 PM

Couldn't we end all of this if we just pay the players? It's starting to get a little silly as to how far we are willing to go just to avoid paying players.

# 39 noplace @ 08/14/13 12:51 PM

I don�t see how this title survives the lack of authenticity� No SEC even as a name is a huge blow because they�re the current face of college football.. 2K couldn�t survive even with superior gameplay and legends.. This hurts

# 40 dghustla @ 08/14/13 12:52 PM

Here is the thing. This is a different climate than in the early 90s before licensing and generic teams were used. The video game market wasn't half of what it is now. Let's say SEC member schools at the advice of their president decide to withhold the licensing of their institutions from the game.

EA decides to use a generic Alabama team. Calling them Tuscaloosa, using their colors, slight alterations to their uniforms but still using numbers on the helmet. Slight alteration to the stadium look, What about the school record holders?

Now if players are suing because EA used a generic black skinned avatar with the same height/weight and #. Don't you think the colleges would sue the crap out of them too?

EA would have to go full generic to succeed in making this game. If not they are liable to be sued by a much more formidable foe than Ed O'Bannon's hack team.

I cant wait for this ruling to come down. The headlines will read "Ed O'Bannon destroys college sports for $50,000 judgement."

« Previous 123 4 5 6 7 8 9…21 22 Next »

More Links

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