NCAA decides to not renew contract with EA Sports, NCAA 15 to be the last game

[Jens1893]

Someone is getting cold feet

[h=2]NCAA will not renew EA Sports contract[/h] The NCAA has made the decision not to enter a new contract for the license of its name and logo for the EA Sports NCAA Football video game. The current contract expires in June 2014, but our timing is based on the need to provide EA notice for future planning. As a result, the NCAA Football 2014 video game will be the last to include the NCAA’s name and logo. We are confident in our legal position regarding the use of our trademarks in video games. But given the current business climate and costs of litigation, we determined participating in this game is not in the best interests of the NCAA.
The NCAA has never licensed the use of current student-athlete names, images or likenesses to EA. The NCAA has no involvement in licenses between EA and former student-athletes. Member colleges and universities license their own trademarks and other intellectual property for the video game. They will have to independently decide whether to continue those business arrangements in the future.

 

[SINKRATZ]

Thanks Ed O'Bannon!!

 

[BuffNut99]

Could be bluffing to create an insane bidding war, but the NCAA could be serious about throwing away piles of money.

 

[NashBuff]

There will be no NCAA 15.

But it's kind of lame since the NCAA could have required EA Sports to have the game randomize the rosters based on the type of team every time you start a game or dynasty.

At the same time, EA Sports will be under pressure of epic proportions to deliver the best Madden game. But I believe EA Sports' NFL exclusive deal expires this year as well.

 

[Jens1893]

Bear in mind this is with the NCAA only, EA can still strike deals with the schools/conferences and then there´s the question for how much longer the NCAA will have anything to say in college football.

 

[ahoelsken]

Bear in mind this is with the NCAA only, EA can still strike deals with the schools/conferences and then there´s the question for how much longer the NCAA will have anything to say in college football.

That's likely what they'll do.....College football is probably the 2nd most popular sport in this country--I just don't see EA or anybody else stepping out of that market because the NCAA won't play along. This is probably the beginning of the end of the NCAA.

 

[tante]

Do you guys think this really topples the NCAA?

 

[Jens1893]

Do you guys think this really topples the NCAA?

No, but it´s a cink in the armor. Would you be really shocked if the Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC and Big 12 took the ball, told the NCAA to **** off, went home and did their own thing?

 

[tante]

No, but it´s a cink in the armor. Would you be really shocked if the Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC and Big 12 took the ball, told the NCAA to **** off, went home and did their own thing?

I really don't know, but that prospect kinda scares me.

 

[Jens1893]

I really don't know, but that prospect kinda scares me.

Those 4 conferences have that kind of power.

 

[ahoelsken]

Those 4 conferences have that kind of power.

One would think the others (MWC, SBC, MAC, and AAC) would go along just for table scraps on top of that....