NCAA will not renew EA Sports contract [UPDATED with EA Statement]

[skipwondah33]

Apparently "more high profile players" joined the suit...even though I've never heard of them.

Couple gems in the article. One player from University of Arizona says its not about the money, it's about long term health care that he might not get after playing college ball. Said he tore his ACL. Another player said it was about money. "Without us there would be no Arizona Football team, Alabama football team, etc"

If there were no you...it would be someone else lol. But I know what he was saying

That's like saying if there were no scholarships there would be no players.

[SmoothPancakes]

Apparently "more high profile players" joined the suit...even though I've never heard of them.

Couple gems in the article. One player from University of Arizona says its not about the money, it's about long term health care that he might not get after playing college ball. Said he tore his ACL. Another player said it was about money. "Without us there would be no Arizona Football team, Alabama football team, etc"

If there were no you...it would be someone else lol. But I know what he was saying

That's like saying if there were no scholarships there would be no players.

It's that case for Division III. There's no such thing as a football scholarship (or any sports scholarship for that matter). The Division III players don't see shit for money or long term health care. The only money you see in a scholarship at that level is if your ass is smart enough to get an academic ride. Sure, Division III is a long ways away from FBS football, but still, all this bitching about money, the FBS players have not a single bit of sympathy from me. Division III players don't see shit, not even in scholarship money, they play 100% entirely for the love of the game.

[gschwendt]

EA & CLC have agreed to a non-exclusive license through 2017.
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/19/ea...-games-for-th/

[skipwondah33]

It's that case for Division III. There's no such thing as a football scholarship (or any sports scholarship for that matter). The Division III players don't see shit for money or long term health care. The only money you see in a scholarship at that level is if your ass is smart enough to get an academic ride. Sure, Division III is a long ways away from FBS football, but still, all this bitching about money, the FBS players have not a single bit of sympathy from me. Division III players don't see shit, not even in scholarship money, they play 100% entirely for the love of the game.

Yep

And the possibility of having a shot at the NFL.

The colleges aren't the only ones being benefited here. The players are as well. Without the colleges or teams...there is no hope to make it to the NFL.

[jaymo76]

Here is the CLC site and a list of all they are associated with.

http://www.clc.com/Clients.aspx

[SmoothPancakes]

Yep

And the possibility of having a shot at the NFL.

The colleges aren't the only ones being benefited here. The players are as well. Without the colleges or teams...there is no hope to make it to the NFL.

That too.

A lot of FBS (and some FCS) players have a hope of making the NFL, either through the draft or getting invited to camp, and making easy NFL money. Other than the one or two very rare cases at a national powerhouse school like Mount Union, Division III players have absolutely no chance.

But you never hear them complain about not getting money or "long term healthcare". As I said last post, yes, Division III is a LONG way from FBS football, there's not any of the extra cash flow for the school from TV contracts or apparel or everything else the FBS schools have, etc. But you still don't hear them complaining about money. Hell, most, if not all Division III players would just settle for full ride athletic scholarships.

[cdj]

To add on to G's earlier post:

More than 150 colleges, conferences and bowl games have approved a three-year contract extension with EA Sports to continue production of its college football video game, which has been at the center of a legal controversy.

The announcement, confirmed Friday, comes two days after the NCAA announced it would not renew its contract with EA Sports after next year, citing business reasons and litigation costs amid a raft of lawsuits involving the game. The NCAA's decision means the popular game no longer will be called "NCAA Football" but rather "College Football," with each school or league deciding to opt in or out through Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), their licensing agent. Some schools did opt out for different reasons, though it's not clear how many. CLC represents nearly 200 colleges, conferences and bowl games.

"More than 150 colleges, conferences and Bowl Games have approved the extension thus far," CLC spokesman Andrew Giangola told USA TODAY Sports. "For various reasons, schools and conferences typically come and go across the life span of any licensed product, as is the case with this game." Via: USA Today


There are already some media reporting that this means some schools have opted out of being in the game. I read it differently, that they have opted out of being part of the CLC (standard fare according to article) - or have yet to sign on just 48 hours after NCAA decision - and that they would have to be negotiated with individually by EA.

We'll continue to add to this thread and front page article as more info emerges.


USA Today article with an extra blurb:

Each schools weighs the risk and rewards of renewing with EA Sports. The rewards include royalties and publicity from the game. The risk could include the ongoing legal liability, with possibly bigger questions looming over the next contract extension in 2017.

For example, Stanford University deputy athletic director Patrick Dunkley told USA TODAY Sports he would like to talk to the NCAA about the reasons for its non-renewal decision.

"I want to get the best understanding I can about what they see as the legal risks so we can analyze those risks and any other risks that we think may exist," said Dunkley, an attorney. "To the extent those risks exist, we want to determine if there's a way to mitigate them through the agreements. If so, maybe we proceed. If not, maybe we don't."

[jaymo76]

To add on to G's earlier post:

More than 150 colleges, conferences and bowl games have approved a three-year contract extension with EA Sports to continue production of its college football video game, which has been at the center of a legal controversy.

The announcement, confirmed Friday, comes two days after the NCAA announced it would not renew its contract with EA Sports after next year, citing business reasons and litigation costs amid a raft of lawsuits involving the game. The NCAA's decision means the popular game no longer will be called "NCAA Football" but rather "College Football," with each school or league deciding to opt in or out through Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), their licensing agent. Some schools did opt out for different reasons, though it's not clear how many. CLC represents nearly 200 colleges, conferences and bowl games.

"More than 150 colleges, conferences and Bowl Games have approved the extension thus far," CLC spokesman Andrew Giangola told USA TODAY Sports. "For various reasons, schools and conferences typically come and go across the life span of any licensed product, as is the case with this game." Via: USA Today


There are already some media reporting that this means some schools have opted out of being in the game. I read it differently, that they have opted out of being part of the CLC (standard fare according to article) - or have yet to sign on just 48 hours after NCAA decision - and that they would have to be negotiated with individually by EA.

We'll continue to add to this thread and front page article as more info emerges.


USA Today article with an extra blurb:

Each schools weighs the risk and rewards of renewing with EA Sports. The rewards include royalties and publicity from the game. The risk could include the ongoing legal liability, with possibly bigger questions looming over the next contract extension in 2017.

For example, Stanford University deputy athletic director Patrick Dunkley told USA TODAY Sports he would like to talk to the NCAA about the reasons for its non-renewal decision.

"I want to get the best understanding I can about what they see as the legal risks so we can analyze those risks and any other risks that we think may exist," said Dunkley, an attorney. "To the extent those risks exist, we want to determine if there's a way to mitigate them through the agreements. If so, maybe we proceed. If not, maybe we don't."

So the possibility of a FIFAesque arrangement exists? In other words some many of the FBS school will be included but some will not. If say 10-15 FBS schools opted out of the game next year I would be hard-pressed to buy the game, even though this is my fave series of all time. For those who know my rants I am a huge advocate of seeing FCS back in the game. I hate not seeing these teams included. I could only imagine how terrible it would be if certain fbs teams/conferences/bowls were not included in the game.

[SmoothPancakes]

So the possibility of a FIFAesque arrangement exists? In other words some many of the FBS school will be included but some will not. If say 10-15 FBS schools opted out of the game next year I would be hard-pressed to buy the game, even though this is my fave series of all time. For those who know my rants I am a huge advocate of seeing FCS back in the game. I hate not seeing these teams included. I could only imagine how terrible it would be if certain fbs teams/conferences/bowls were not included in the game.

Unfortunately, I think this will also effectively permanently eliminate any hope of ever seeing FCS teams return. If FBS schools, including those racking in tens and hundreds of millions in cash every year might be wavering, no way in hell would an FCS school be willing to open itself to potential future lawsuits over all this crap.

And yeah, I might be in the same boat. I'm a stickler for keeping the conferences in my dynasty as close to real life accurate as I can. Having to put up with the WAC for the last two years has annoyed the utter hell out of me because it threw multiple conferences off. Having even a handful of teams missing from future editions (ESPECIALLY if they're teams from the big 5 conferences), that may be enough to keep me from buying a new edition. If EA can patch defense into '14, I'd be content with just going with what I have now and stick with '14 going into the future.

[RussellW65]

Just don't see how this is going to work. It's like Madden without the NFL.

[Rudy]

Just don't see how this is going to work. It's like Madden without the NFL.

Not true. It's like Madden without the logo but still having all the teams, players, logos and stadiums. The NCAA logo on the cover means nothing really. The NCAA doesn't even have anything to do with the BCS and upcoming playoff.

[jaymo76]

Not true. It's like Madden without the logo but still having all the teams, players, logos and stadiums.

Hard to say for sure though. As of right now, CFC doesn't hold rights to the MAC and it's teams as well as a handful of fbs bowls. I wonder if some programmes will choose to opt if they feel the lawsuit isn't progressing in a way they would like???

[ram29jackson]

if PES can keep coming out with decent games without license , so can NCAA....LOL or what ever they call it

[steelerfan]

Hard to say for sure though. As of right now, CFC doesn't hold rights to the MAC and it's teams as well as a handful of fbs bowls. I wonder if some programmes will choose to opt if they feel the lawsuit isn't progressing in a way they would like???

CFC?

Don't blame Chelsea Football Club.

I'm using Tapatalk 2 and the Cleveland Browns STILL suck.

[jaymo76]

CFC?

Don't blame Chelsea Football Club.

I'm using Tapatalk 2 and the Cleveland Browns STILL suck.

Oh man... typing on a smart phone is brutal... my bad.

[steelerfan]

Oh man... typing on a smart phone is brutal... my bad.

I know you're a fellow Chelsea supporter.

I'm using Tapatalk 2 and the Cleveland Browns STILL suck.

[JBHuskers]

KTBFFH!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[OUkool]

If EA Sports goes all in with CLC we could get Div.II schools (such as Pittsburgh State,Grambling,Indiana State and Florida A&M) this maybe the last cycle of EA Sports college football so go all out.

[OUkool]

Not true. It's like Madden without the logo but still having all the teams, players, logos and stadiums. The NCAA logo on the cover means nothing really. The NCAA doesn't even have anything to do with the BCS and upcoming playoff.

thank you for pointing this out
None of my friends think i'm telling them the truth when i tell them that the NCAA has nothing to do with the control of the "BCS"
or Div.1 football.