• O'Bannon: How College Sports Games Could Return

    As part of Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA by Ed O'Bannon and Michael McCann, O'Bannon fires back at what he calls a ridiculous claim: that he is to blame for the end of college sports video games and namely the NCAA Football franchise.

    "But the video game comment was the one that I got the most. To be honest, it kind of caught me off guard since it was so wrong and so ridiculous. Yes, it’s true that Electronic Arts stopped publishing college sports games after we led my lawsuit, but let’s think about the facts for a moment. ...

    "If the NCAA had let EA pay us, all of you gamers out there would have your college sports games. So don’t blame me. Blame the NCAA for refusing to change its rules in the face of basic common sense, not to mention consumer demand."


    It is worth nothing that under terms of the settlement, EA did not admit any wrongdoing. However, O'Bannon claims in this excerpt that EA "knew that it had used players’ images and likenesses without their permission."

    Click here to read a larger excerpt of the book and how O'Bannon believes college sports video games could return to consoles.


    TGT Takeaway: While O'Bannon may be sincere in his statement that he never wished for college video games to go away and believes he has the blueprint for them to return, he is probably the last person who should weigh in. Akin to the arsonist who wants to offer tips on how to rebuild your home, he is not someone video game fans want to hear from on this matter. If he didn't think or know their eradication was a possible (likely?) outcome of the lawsuit, it should stand as a permanent mark on the level of education provided at UCLA.

    While he is off-base in some of his recommendations, he is correct with his generic statement that there needs to be more pressure on the NCAA - and in turn, conferences and member institutions - to find a way to allow the use of player likenesses for the return of video games. That pressure cannot come from EA alone, it must come from student-athletes (both current and former, of which he should have led the charge instead of a lawsuit), fans, gamers, partners, and ideally even from smart, forward-thinking athletic directors, coaches, and conference commissioners - should any exist.

    Imagine the press, recruiting hype, and increased brand image (three of the most important factors many schools seem to care about these days) the first coach or program would receive if they came out and called for their conference and/or the NCAA to find a way to acquire the rights to player likenesses for the return of college sports gaming. It would resonate loudly to fans and recruits across the country, but are any smart or brave enough to do it? -cdj (@cdj80)
    This article was originally published in forum thread: O'Bannon: How College Sports Games Could Return started by cdj View original post
    Comments 4 Comments
    1. CLW's Avatar
      CLW -
      Ed O'Bannon - didn't pan out in the pros and blew his roughly $4,000,000 career (3 year) salary. Of course he didn't take advantage of his free top quality (UCLA is a Top 20ish school in the country) education. So after he most likely went broke sued (thinking he'd get rich) of course his lawyers didn't tell him it was they who would get rich while he received probably the max $7K and some change.

      I'm sure he took that $7k pay day and didn't blow it.
    1. JBHuskers's Avatar
      JBHuskers -
      Hence he wrote a book that no one will read.
    1. CLW's Avatar
      CLW -
      Quote Originally Posted by JBHuskers View Post
      Hence he wrote a book that no one will read.
      LOL you think he wrote it? Hell I am somewhat doubtful he can even write.

      the "with Michael McCann" tells you who actually wrote the damn book. O'Bannon likely just received another check so they could use his picture on the cover while those with the political agenda to destroy the NCAA (granted the NCAA isn't doing much to help its own cause given their utter incompetence and complete nonsensical rulings) and fundamentally transform college athletics into an unlimited pay for play where the athletes lose the student part and just become mercenaries for x number of year(s) before they turn pro for another pay day.
    1. ncaajunkie's Avatar
      ncaajunkie -
      Ed and Sam are number one reason to me why the game was canceled in my opinion. Why didn’t EA ask football players to sign a waiver to use thier likeness? If they say yes they will be in the game. If they choose no then they will be no where on te death chart.