EA Withdraws From College Basketball Race; 2K Announces Return

Per Extra Points with Matt Brown, EA SPORTS has rescinded their video game licensing proposal. Following months of rumors and speculation of EA and 2K battling to earn the approval of schools, it appears that enough schools signed with 2K leading to EA bowing out.

Brown's earlier reporting revealed that EA was planning a standalone title featuring all Division I men's and women's basketball programs that would launch at least three times in a six year span. 2K's proposal featured a more measured approach, adding programs into NBA 2K's MyTeam mode incrementally before evaluating the DLC's success and considering a standalone product.

Thursday evening, 2K confirmed they were re-entering the college basketball market with a CBB experience featuring 100+ programs. The company says they have big plans for 2027 and beyond, including a few surprises in early 2026.

UPDATE:

According to a memo obtained by Extra Points, EA Sports has rescinded their college basketball video game licensing proposal, as enough schools have elected to go with 2K:https://t.co/42Zz4KHCOw

— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) September 4, 2025

Need to hit the phones for a while, but if you want more context to the EA/2K CBB news, here's my full reporting:

(including WHY 2K's current plan is to not include every single college basketball program)https://t.co/42Zz4KHCOw

— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) September 4, 2025

We’re going back to school. pic.twitter.com/8u1ihv5i3s

— 2K (@2K) September 5, 2025