NCAA Refuses To Renew Contract With EA
If you’re a fan of the NCAA Football series of games, prepare for some changes (though not of the gameplay-type). The NCAA has informed EA that they will not be renewing their contract with them for use of their name and logo. That meansNCAA Football 14 will be the last college football game to use the NCAA trademarks.
What does that mean for the game? Well, honestly, not much. The NCAA doesn’t control the trademarks of the colleges, as that is left to the Collegiate Licensing Company. That company still has a strong relationship with EA, and will continue to allow EA to produce a college football game.
The reason why the NCAA won’t be associated with the yearly production comes down to one thing: lawsuits. Over the past several years EA and the NCAA have been getting a lot of flack from former college football players over likeness issues, as those players are not being paid for what is essentially an appearance in these games. The NCAA is now saying “no more” and washing their hands from this matter. I’ve got a feeling, however, that they’re still going to be deeply involved in any other lawsuits, whether they like it or not.
