EA Sports Cancels NCAA Football Games
If you’re thinking of waiting until next year in order to replace your 5 year old copy of NCAA Football, you’re going to be in for a shock. Yesterday EA Sports made the announcement that they will no longer be making any College Football games. They cited ongoing litigation between players and the NCAA as the reason for the cancellation.
Cam Weber, who oversees both NCAA Football and Madden NFL had this to say: “We have been stuck in the middle of a dispute between the NCAA and student-athletes who seek compensation for playing college football. Just like companies that broadcast college games and those that provide equipment and apparel, we follow rules that are set by the NCAA—but those rules are being challenged by some student-athletes.”
I can’t say that I’m totally surprised by this turn. Earlier in the year the NCAA had decided not to renew its contract with EA for use of its likeness, and while the loss of the NCAA logo and brand may not have been the catalyst for the series’ cancellation, it was clear that the writing was on the wall. It remains possible that the series may return at some point in the future, but with the ongoing argument about paying student-athletes to play raging on, I wouldn’t count on seeing a new game until that mess is sorted out.
